This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/jan/15/tristram-hunt-classroom-discipline-schools-education

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tristram Hunt talks tough on classroom discipline Tristram Hunt talks tough on classroom discipline
(35 minutes later)
The shadow education secretary, Tristram Hunt, is to promise that every school in England and Wales will have a teacher dedicated to maintaining order.The shadow education secretary, Tristram Hunt, is to promise that every school in England and Wales will have a teacher dedicated to maintaining order.
He will say these specialist discipline teachers would be required to add simulated exercises to their training to ensure all who qualify are "classroom ready". He will say these specialist discipline teachers will be required to add simulated exercises to their training to ensure all who qualify are "classroom ready".
Hunt is known to believe that discipline is the single biggest issue that motivates most voters about education, and in article designed to court readers of the Sun newspaper, he promises to outflank the education secretary, Michael Gove, by being tough on classroom behaviour. Hunt is known to believe that discipline is the single biggest issue that motivates most voters about education, and in an article designed to court readers of the Sun, he promises to outflank the education secretary, Michael Gove, by being tough on classroom behaviour.
"For any great teacher, at the heart of it is behaviour management and concentration in the classroom," he writes, adding "standards in our schools and kids getting jobs depend on it"."For any great teacher, at the heart of it is behaviour management and concentration in the classroom," he writes, adding "standards in our schools and kids getting jobs depend on it".
Successive education secretaries have promised to act on discipline with policies ranging from quicker expulsions of disruptive children to improved pupil referral units.Successive education secretaries have promised to act on discipline with policies ranging from quicker expulsions of disruptive children to improved pupil referral units.
It is not clear how much substance lies behind Hunt's promise made in a speech in which he sets out his plans for teachers to be subject to relicensing. It is not clear how much substance lies behind Hunt's promise, made in a speech in which he sets out his plans for teachers to be subject to relicensing.
His plans have been welcomed by the rightwing think tank Policy Exchange so long as they are linked to performance-related pay. His plans have been welcomed by the rightwing thinktank Policy Exchange so long as they are linked to performance-related pay.
Hunt writes in the Sun: "Playing on smartphones. Wandering around the class. Chattering on the back row. Then there is the more extreme stuff. On average, 55 assaults take place in our schools every day. Hunt writes in the Sun: "Playing on smartphones. Wandering around the class. Chattering on the back row. Then there is the more extreme stuff. On average, 55 assaults take place in our schools every day. Five minutes stamping out disruption in every lesson taught means [each] pupil loses around 130 hours of learning a year," he adds.
Five minutes stamping out disruption in every lesson taught means [each] pupil loses around 130 hours of learning a year, he adds.
Hunt points out a recent report by the school inspectorate Ofsted revealed weak classroom discipline as one of the biggest blocks for children's progress – sparking bullying, absenteeism and worse results.Hunt points out a recent report by the school inspectorate Ofsted revealed weak classroom discipline as one of the biggest blocks for children's progress – sparking bullying, absenteeism and worse results.
He asks: "Surely the very least we can expect as parents is that teachers have had training in teaching and how to control a class? No child can concentrate amidst chaos. And no teacher should have to fear for their safety. So Labour would put improved behaviour at the heart of all teacher training. We would train up a new generation of behaviour experts to boost classroom discipline.He asks: "Surely the very least we can expect as parents is that teachers have had training in teaching and how to control a class? No child can concentrate amidst chaos. And no teacher should have to fear for their safety. So Labour would put improved behaviour at the heart of all teacher training. We would train up a new generation of behaviour experts to boost classroom discipline.
Hunt will also expand on his call for all teachers to have two year-long licences, which can be revoked if they under-perform.Hunt will also expand on his call for all teachers to have two year-long licences, which can be revoked if they under-perform.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.