Thousands of head teachers, teachers and support staff have
shared their views on pupil behaviour and relationships in
Scotland’s local authority schools.
The fifth edition of the Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research
(BISSR) report found staff perceived the majority of pupils to be
behaving well. The report noted a deterioration in some pupil’s
behaviour since the last research was conducted in 2016, thought
partly to have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and
instances of poverty and destitution. The research also
identifies a number of emerging trends in behaviour, including
in-school truancy, vaping, disruptive use of mobile phones and
misogyny.
Education Secretary discussed the findings of
the report as she chaired the third Behaviour and Relationships
summit, bringing together teachers, union representatives, local
authorities and other stakeholders.
The research comes as a further report by Education Scotland
shows the impact the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living
crisis has had on attendance levels for some pupils.
Ms Gilruth said:
“We commissioned this research to provide us with the clearest
possible picture on behaviour and relationships in schools. It
builds upon my own extensive engagement with teachers, school
leaders, support staff and local authority colleagues to fully
understand how our pupils are interacting with each other and
their teachers.
“It is clear from the responses that most teachers report good
behaviour amongst pupils – this provides some important nuance to
this issue and must be at the forefront of our plans to tackle
the instances of disruptive behaviours. Young people must not be
demonised, and poor behaviour cannot be generalised. Our young
people have faced a huge amount of disruption in recent years due
to the COVID-19 pandemic which has been compounded by the current
cost of living crisis – this is not unique to Scotland.
“Tomorrow I will set out to Parliament our plans to engage with
local authorities and schools to ensure a plan of action is taken
forward to tackle instances of poor behaviour at the root as soon
as possible. I plan to engage directly with young people on this
matter to ensure their voices are front and centre – as well as
with teachers and school staff, to ensure they are fully
supported in responding to these challenges.”
Background
Following the publication of the Behaviour in Scottish Schools
Research, the Scottish Advisory Group on Relationships and
Behaviour in Schools will begin their consideration of the
findings of the research and provide advice on proposed next
steps.
The Scottish Government commissioned the Behaviour in Scottish
Schools Research report (BISSR).
BISSR is a time series study established in 2006 and usually
conducted every three years, bar a break during the pandemic.
This edition is the first since 2016.
Further details on the Education Scotland report into
attendance.
