Getting curious about behaviour: a relational approach

Host Liz Worthen talks with Dee Higgins, therapeutic thinking lead and former PRU senior leader, about reducing stress for staff in schools and improving pupil behaviour through relational, restorative and reflective practice. Listen for:

• What a relational approach means (and why it’s not a soft option)
• Calmness, consistency and connection before correction
• Lunchtime equity and the importance of play
• The case for earlier intervention and ways to create hope
• Why transitions need more focus
• Tips for productive multi-agency working
• Recommended reads.

‘It doesn't mean that a relational approach is a soft option. It just means that we consider the behaviour curriculum and the positive responses that you can have with children to get them to think around their behaviour. And I firmly believe it extends beyond the classroom.’

After years of experience as a teacher and senior leader in an alternative provision setting, Dee Higgins is now Therapeutic Thinking Lead for a local authority. She also holds MAs in psychotherapy and in education leadership. 

Liz Worthen’s career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development. Creating Value in Schools is all about sustainable working: taking care of people, planet and resources to secure better outcomes for children and communities.

• Check out Dee’s recommended reads in the Creating Value in Schools bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools
• What is OPAL? https://outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/
• Why play matters: https://theresehoyle.com/why-play-matters-the-hidden-cost-of-screens-and-a-play-poor-childhood/
• Research from The Engagement Platform: https://www.tep.uk/research-and-resources/mind-the-engagement-gap-a-national-study-of-pupil-engagement-in-englands-schools
• Find out about the Rights Respecting Schools Award: https://www.unicef.org.uk/rights-respecting-schools/
• How to create a positive behaviour culture: https://createvalueschools.com/need-to-know/how-do-we-create-a-positive-behaviour-culture/
• Join the Creating Value in Schools community: https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/

00:00 Welcome and focus

00:48 Therapeutic thinking role

02:50 Regulation over punishment

03:54 Connection before correction

06:19 What relational means

08:15 Beyond the classroom

11:37 Parents and co-production

12:53 Debating compliance

14:16 PRU lessons and early help

19:00 Transitions and belonging

21:47 Inclusion and value

23:03 Multi-agency collaboration

25:46 Recommended reading

28:12 Closing thanks

 

#behaviour #education #sustainableschools