In today's complex educational landscape, the ability to forge genuine connections with students is more crucial than ever. Research consistently shows that strong teacher-student relationships significantly improve academic performance, reduce behavioural issues, and even contribute to positive wellbeing. However, many educators find themselves struggling to reach their most challenging students,...

In classrooms around the world,  Some teachers are able to get the best from any student. 

They stand out for their almost mystical ability to inspire and enjoy respect from even the most challenging young people. 

In other classrooms these students are out of control. They’re noisy, abusive and disruptive, but with these brilliant teachers, they quickly settle and become focused. It's as though...

Here is a method any teacher can use to reduce workload and save time by dramatically improving classroom behaviour.

This method transforms student behaviour by making it easier for them to do the right thing. 

It creates 100% consistency. And it reduces stress, confusion and frustration.

There’s no need for the teacher to constantly repeat instructions.

No more shouting, no more cajoling, no mo...

There are lots of theories on the many different ways to make lessons more appealing to apathetic, disinterested students; to improve engagement, get them interested and taking part. 

Here’s an activity which, at Needs Focused Teaching, we’ve found to be very effective. 

It works on the principle that most disruptive students tend to be kinaesthetic learners - they need to be up on their feet an...

As a teacher, have you ever had the situation where you tell a student to get on with their work and you find 25 minutes later that they haven't done a thing? 

You tell them to get on with their work, "Get on with your work," and you've come back to them later, and they haven't done a thing. 

I’m sure that resonates with you. Most teachers face this very frustrating problem at some time or anoth...

This is a whole-school approach to building a positive working environment as well as helping develop positive relationships between all staff and students. It is based on the principle that individual students’ efforts often get overlooked – particularly in a large setting. The strategy ensures that even the smallest improvements made by a student are noticed and acknowledged, potentially by EVER...

This hyper-effective classroom management tool relies on 2 key principles: responsibilities and routines.

Some of your students will respond very well to being given a responsibility. In fact, it's probably your most challenging students- the ringleaders- who will respond best to responsibility because they crave attention.

For this classroom management strategy, we're going to award three or fo...

Are you a teacher in a tough school, struggling with classroom management?

Here’s a wonderful simple phrase to add every time you give a warning to a student.

It’s the perfect way to get them thinking about, and taking responsibility for their behaviour.

It encourages them to make sensible choices.

And it consists of just 10 words…

“Is that what you want to happen? It’s your choice.”

So, whe...

This method relies on the power of the ‘ripple effect’ where the positive attention is given to individual students and then spreads or ripples around the room. Other students get the message that if they behave in a similar way, they too will be able to enjoy positive feelings and praise.

 We call it ‘Windscreen Wiper Praise’.

 You’ll see why in a moment…

Let’s say you have a student – Jonny –...

All teachers know that positive teacher-student relationships lie at the heart of good teaching.

They make classroom management much easier.

So how do we build them? Especially with hard-to-reach students?

Let me introduce you to someone with a powerful yet very simple method for building relationships fast.

 Joe Girard was a car salesman and earned the title of ‘World’s Greatest Salesman’ 12 ...