Why teachers want better behaviour over bigger budgets

Disruptive behaviour is one of the biggest challenges facing schools today. In fact, a recent Teacher Tapp survey found that 42% of teachers would rather improve behaviour than receive a 20% increase to their school budget - that's around £200k for a primary school.

The issue isn't just impacting pupils’ learning and eating up valuable lesson time, it's also taking the joy out of teaching and driving some educators out of the profession altogether.

 

The scale of the problem

Recent reports highlight just how widespread the issue of disruptive behaviour has become:

• 76% of teachers say disruptive behaviour interrupted their most recent lesson, and for 45%, learning stopped completely as a result (School Surveys' Behaviour Barometer).
• 3 in 10 teachers deal with a disruptive incident every 10 minutes or less, with 11% facing issues every five minutes (Bett Student Behaviour Report 2024).
• Nearly 30% of teachers feel their school leaders aren’t doing enough to support behaviour management (Teacher Tapp survey).
• Behaviour is the #1 cause of additional workload for teachers, with many saying it’s their top source of stress (School Surveys' Behaviour Barometer).
• 86% of teachers say managing behaviour gets in the way of their ability to teach, and 28% report that behaviour issues are so severe they are considering leaving the profession (Bett Student Behaviour Report 2024).

 
Why behaviour matters

Behaviour can have a huge influence on teaching and learning. When classrooms are calm and focused, teachers are better able to teach and pupils are more likely to learn. However, persistent disruptive behaviour can have a negative impact on:

• Teacher wellbeing: Stress levels rise, workloads increase and job satisfaction fades when teachers are forced to spend significant time managing behaviour.
• Pupil outcomes: When behaviour is consistently interrupting lesson time, learning suffers as a result, leaving pupils disengaged and unable to reach their potential.
• Staff retention: With over a quarter of teachers considering leaving the profession because of behaviour issues, schools risk losing experienced and skilled team members.

  

What teachers want

Teachers are clear about what they need to create calmer, more focused classrooms. Practical, consistent strategies that work for all staff are a top priority. According to School Surveys' Behaviour Barometer, the key ingredients for better behaviour management are:

• Clarity and consistency: Clear rules and consequences that are applied across the school.
• Collective effort: A whole school approach to behaviour management that ensures all staff are on the same page.
• Empathy and high expectations: Blending compassion with boundaries to create a positive learning environment.

The Thrive Approach closely aligns with these priorities. It provides a framework, practical strategies, and consistent language that can be used by all staff to create an emotionally healthy and productive learning environment.

  

Tackle disruptive behaviour with a Thrive apprenticeship

Thrive offers two levy-funded apprenticeships designed to equip educators with the skills to support pupil wellbeing and improve behaviour, attendance and learning outcomes.

• Thrive Wellbeing Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship
• Thrive Wellbeing Leadership Apprenticeship

Both of these apprenticeships result in level 5 qualifications and Thrive Licensed Practitioner status. They also include modules that focus on understanding what behaviour is communicating, how to build positive relationships and how to create an environment that supports both pupils and staff.

Plus, learners get free access to Thrive-Online, Thrive's assessment, action-planning and progress-monitoring tool, for the duration of their training. This free subscription includes access to behaviour assessments, enabling educators to identify concerning behaviours, prioritise areas to focus on and create action plans to address the underlying causes.

In the face of increasing behaviour-related challenges in schools, these apprenticeships provide the tools, support and expertise staff need to tackle disruptive behaviour and create calm, productive classrooms where everyone can thrive.

Click below to explore our apprenticeship course pages where you'll find more details, FAQs and downloadable guides for employers.

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