Challenging Behaviour is the most recent term for what we “oldies” in the profession used to call bad behaviour.

Bad behaviour by some pupils in all schools has always been a fact of educational life but the predominant question is whether such behaviour is getting worse rather than better.

Judging by comments and opinions in the press and by surveys of teachers both in the UK and abroad the answer seems to be that behaviour in schools is deteriorating, it is getting worse, it is becoming more challenging!

Interesting word “challenging”! What does it mean in terms of behaviour?

It seems to mean that more children are challenging the fact that they have to be in school, they have to bide by certain rules and they have to accept that school is good for them! Many unfortunately don’t and that raises the question of fault!

Whose fault is it that some pupils display challenging behaviour in schools?
To put it another way: Whose fault is it that some pupils are badly behaved?

Is it the fault of teachers and schools?
Is it the fault of parents?
Is it the fault of society itself?
Is it the fault of the Government?

Aside from the question of fault, there is also the question that given challenging behaviour is increasing what are we going to do about it?

Answer that question, solve that problem to everyone’s satisfaction and fame and fortune will be yours!
In the meantime challenging behaviour exists and as education professionals we have to accept it – or do we?

What do you think?????