Education Minister has today announced a review of
behaviour policy and practice across schools in Northern Ireland.
Tom Bennett, a leading expert in behaviour management, has been
appointed to provide independent advice, drawing on international
best practice to help develop new, evidence-based guidance for
schools.
The review aims to strengthen how behaviour is managed across the
education system and will inform the development of a new
Department of Education Behaviour Policy, as well as updated,
practical guidance for schools.
Announcing the review, said: Creating safe, calm and
purposeful learning environments is essential to ensuring that
every child and young person can succeed. I recognise that
increasingly complex behaviour is placing significant pressure on
our teachers and school leaders, adding to workload and taking
valuable time away from teaching and learning.
This review will help ensure our approach to behaviour is clear,
consistent and underpinned by the best available evidence, while
giving teachers the practical support they need in the classroom.
Tom Bennett brings a wealth of experience from across education
systems internationally and his expertise will be invaluable as
we move forward.
The review will examine the Department's existing behaviour
policy and will consider how it can be strengthened to better
support schools in managing increasingly complex behavioural
challenges. It will include engagement with schools and
stakeholders across the sector, a formal call for evidence and
school visits. The work will also identify effective practice and
scalable approaches to behaviour management, with findings
directly informing updated policy and guidance for schools.
Tom Bennett is a former teacher and his experience includes
serving as Independent Behaviour Adviser to the Department for
Education in England.
The review will begin in summer 2026 and is expected to conclude
in January 2027, when updated policy and guidance will be
published.
Notes to editors:
Tom Bennett is a widely recognised expert in behaviour management
and education policy. He is a Professor of School Behaviour at
Academica University, Amsterdam. Tom's experience includes:
- Serving as Independent Behaviour Advisor to the Department
for Education in England
- Leading the Behaviour Hubs programme to support schools
