SCHOOLS are being urged to introduce simple, easy-to-follow checklists to improve behaviour.

Government behaviour adviser Charlie Taylor claims a consistent approach to easy-to-understand rules is the key to bringing discipline back to the classroom.

And he has urged staff to display school rules around the school, use rewards and punishments for good and bad behaviour in class and tell parents if their child has been naughty.

His ideas have been welcomed by head teachers across the country, including Ben Parnell of Winton Arts and Media College.

He said: “The key with behaviour is consistency and I think it is better when we have a simple approach to it. “Here at Winton we have a consequences system and it is very clear which misdemeanours fall into which category.”

Mr Parnell also agreed with the suggestion that head teachers should praise good performance and should have as much contact with the students as possible.

“It is absolutely the most important part of my work to make sure that I am visible around the school and to make sure that staff and students are aware of my expectations.”

Mr Taylor’s report also suggests teachers meet and greet pupils when they come into the school and into the classroom, an approach used at Bournemouth’s Bourne Academy where Principal Jackie Steel and other senior staff members meet students at the front door every day.

Mr Taylor’s list includes: • Displaying school rules clearly in and around the building.

• Heads knowing the names of staff and praising good performance.

• Head teachers being visible around the school.

• Checking up on behaviour outside the school.

• Meeting and greeting pupils when they arrive.

• Displaying sanctions and rewards for behaviour in the classroom.

• Teachers staying calm.

• Praising the good behaviour of pupils.

Truancy factfile

Truancy and overall absence figures have been published for local authority areas. These figures show the percentage of half day sessions missed.

Primary schools overall absence:

UK – 5.14 per cent

Bournemouth – 5.1 per cent

Poole – 4.84 per cent

Dorset – 4.97 per cent

Primary schools unauthorised absence:

UK – 0.69 per cent

Bournemouth – 0.56 per cent

Poole – 0.51 per cent

Dorset – 0.43 per cent

Secondary schools overall absence:

UK – 6.52 per cent

Bournemouth – 6.78 per cent

Poole – 6.37 per cent

Dorset – 6.36 per cent

Secondary schools unauthorised absence:

UK – 1.41 per cent

Bournemouth – 1.21 per cent

Poole – 1.42 per cent

Dorset – one per cent