Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is a whole-school framework that promotes positive behaviour across a school and helps schools develop safe and supportive learning environments. Schools which implement the PBL framework make sure all students are explicitly taught the expected behaviours and establish clear and consistent boundaries.
PBL is about promoting positive behaviour across the school to create a safe and supportive environment for every child.
The BSE have identified 4 positive expectations that everyone – students, teachers, staff and parents – are asked to follow. We communicate the behaviours needed to meet these expectations, when and where they should be used, and what they look and sound like, so everyone is aware of how they are expected to behave.
The BSE have chosen the following positive behaviour for learning expectations:
Each expectation is linked to positive behaviours that are expected in all areas/aspects of school life. For example, ‘be respectful’ as one of our expectations, will link positive behaviours (or rules) to that expectation. The expectation and its associated behaviours are recorded something like this:
Teachers are encouraged to have between three and five rules in the classroom and to discuss them with students, including what each rule looks like and sounds like. The rules are displayed where the students can see them and are used to teach students the social and emotional skills they need to succeed at school.
We use as many ways as possible in and outside the classroom to communicate the positive behaviours we expect. This includes posters in classrooms and corridors, discussions about positive behaviours in school assemblies, reminders on school signs and notice boards, and information about the positive behaviours in school newsletters.
Teachers and school staff are encouraged to praise good behaviour. They might show their appreciation by:
Because we know that behaviour is learned, both parents and schools need to teach young people the skills they need, and give them positive feedback when they do the right thing. A small number of students will need some one-on-one support to help them learn the social and emotional skills they need. Generally, classroom teachers will provide feedback in private, in a calm way, and by being clear about the kind of positive behaviour they would like to see.
This positive approach to behaviour support leads to higher engagement among students, lower numbers of behaviour incidents, and higher school attendance. All of this helps create a safe and supportive learning environment for kids.
The PBL approach brings together teachers, staff, students, and parents to develop a positive, safe and supportive learning environment. Everyone benefits when schools and parents engage in a positive and respectful way to support students.
