Research webinar explores the impact of school discipline on pupils’ mental health and wellbeing
Wednesday 20th November 2024
Disciplinary behaviour management strategies are common in UK secondary schools. These include sanctions such as detention and isolation.
The Behaviour in Schools Study (BISS) aimed to find out more. The study has produced two animations and recommendations.
A research update is provided for schools in B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire on Monday 9th December 2024 to hear more about the findings from recent research in the South West about pupil’s mental health and wellbeing.
This presentation of the findings from the Behaviour In Schools Study (BISS) will be delivered by Dr Sarah Bell, Senior Research Associate, University of Bristol.
A Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) raised school discipline as a topic for research. The initial workshop with young people revealed negative experiences and impact on mental health and wellbeing.
BISS is an innovative study co-produced with young people. As well as coming up with the research idea, members of the YPAG were peer researchers. They conducted interviews with pupils. They also helped analyse results and write papers. A systematic review of all the research on the link between behaviour management in schools and pupil mental health and wellbeing also took place.
The research is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC West) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.
Outcomes
The two new animations have shed light on the impact of behaviour management in English secondary schools on pupils’ mental health and wellbeing. They are based on findings from the ARC West project which originated from our Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG).
The first video, ‘A Day in the Life’ tells the story of two pupils in the same classroom. It describes the impact discipline has on everyone, whether it’s the pupils who are subjected to it or those who comply to avoid it.
The second video, ‘Isolation’, tells the story of a pupil who is regularly sent to isolation. She says: “They go crazy if you miss a day of school, but then they’ll throw you in isolation like there’s no tomorrow. It makes me so angry.”
Book on Right Choice for the free research webinar (School Right Choice login required)
