The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) Guide: Improving Behaviour in Schools provides practical, evidence-based recommendations to support schools in developing effective behaviour strategies. It emphasises the importance of a whole-school approach, highlighting that improving behaviour is not about a single strategy or short-term fix, but about building a positive, consistent, and supportive school culture.

Core Principles

The guide begins by outlining that behaviour in schools is complex, and managing it effectively requires clarity, consistency, and a focus on relationships. It stresses that all staff should play a role in promoting good behaviour, and leaders must ensure staff are well supported and trained. Importantly, behaviour strategies should be preventative rather than solely reactive.

Recommendation 1: Know and understand your pupils and their influences

Understanding the individual circumstances that affect pupils' behaviour—such as home life, additional needs, or mental health—is crucial. Schools should build strong relationships and gather information to help identify triggers or patterns in behaviour. Empathy, listening, and curiosity are key tools for staff to understand and support pupils.

Recommendation 2: Teach learning behaviours alongside managing misbehaviour

The guide makes a clear distinction between misbehaviour and learning behaviours (e.g. persistence, collaboration, self-regulation). These learning behaviours can be taught explicitly, modelled by adults, and positively reinforced. Preventing misbehaviour is often about creating the right environment and explicitly teaching what good behaviour looks like.

Recommendation 3: Use classroom management strategies to support good classroom behaviour

Effective classroom management is not about being strict or punitive, but about creating clear routines, setting high expectations, and consistently applying rules. Strategies include:

• Pre-correcting and reinforcing expectations

• Seating plans

• Tactical ignoring of minor off-task behaviour

• Using positive reinforcement

• Establishing strong routines

Staff should receive regular training and coaching to improve and reflect on their classroom practice.

Recommendation 4: Use simple approaches as part of your regular routine

Rather than relying on complex systems, the guide encourages schools to embed simple, consistent, and relational approaches in daily routines. Small interactions like greeting students at the door, recognising effort, or using calm, predictable language can have a powerful effect on the learning climate.

Recommendation 5: Use targeted approaches to meet the needs of individuals

Some pupils need additional support beyond universal strategies. The guide encourages schools to use targeted interventions, such as:

• Behaviour mentoring

• Check-in/check-out systems

• Social skills groups

• Individual behaviour plans

These should be evidence-informed, time-limited, and carefully monitored to assess impact.

Recommendation 6: Consistency is key

Consistency across classrooms, staff, and situations is essential. Pupils should experience clear boundaries and predictable responses, especially those with additional needs. Senior leaders must model consistent expectations and support all staff in managing behaviour.

The EEF guide stresses that improving behaviour is not about eliminating every disruption, but about creating an inclusive and supportive environment that maximises learning for all. A strong school culture, built on relationships, consistency, and high expectations, can significantly improve pupil outcomes and wellbeing. Staff training, reflection, and collaborative practice are vital to making behaviour improvement sustainable.