This session will explore alternatives to mainstream behaviour management policies, by drawing from examples in an alternative provision setting. The session will challenge the traditional rewards and sanctions system and the use of detentions by showing how these systems fail to engage pupils in education in a meaningful way and ultimately leads to harm to all students, but particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with SEND. It will then explore an alternative approach, using genuinely trauma-informed practice and instilling an intrinsic engagement in learning. We will cover our approach and what can and cannot be easily applied in a mainstream setting.
Outcomes: Participants should gain: - an understanding of how and why the current paradigm of behaviour management is not appropriate for a range of learners An ability to challenge standard approaches to behaviour. - knowledge of alternative approaches from AP settings and how these can be used to transform behaviour management and policy in mainstream settings
Background: This session is based on our experiences working in an alternative provision setting for the past 4 years...
- at the 2026 Conference, many people Matthew spoke to were interested in our setting’s unique approach to behaviour, specifically the lack of any sanctions or rewards system, and how we successfully educate pupils who have been unable to engage in mainstream, including those who have been permanently excluded.
- this session combines Matthew’s insight as a science teacher and Elijah’s MEd research. It will consider classroom approaches but will also address broader issues and themes in education and will hopefully be of interest to a range of audiences.
- those in leadership positions will have more opportunity to implement school-wide structural changes, but I hope that those in standard teaching roles will also gain from the session and be able to adapt their own practice within the confines of a wider school policy.
