Blogs

Is pupil behaviour getting worse?

Behaviour Staff wellbeing
Julian Stanley examines new research that shows behaviour is getting worse in primary schools. What does that mean for the future of secondary school teachers?

We recently surprised many by revealing that more primary teachers than secondary report seeing a worsening of pupil behaviour over the last five years. The poll of teachers reveals over half (53 per cent) of primary school teachers say they have seen worsening behaviour, compared with only 46 per cent of secondary school teachers.

The YouGov poll of 481 primary and 321 secondary school teachers also highlighted the impact poor student behaviour has on teacher wellbeing.

For primary teachers, 62 per cent said that poor behaviour has resulted in stress, anxiety or depression, 37 per cent have thought about leaving the profession as a result of behaviour problems, and 38 per cent complained that behaviour is preventing them from teaching effectively.

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