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The governing board's role in a whole-school approach to behaviour

Find out how to fulfil your role in promoting good behaviour as part of a whole-school approach. Help support a positive behaviour culture, and find questions to ask to monitor behaviour in your school.

Last reviewed on 11 March 2026See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 5378
Contents
  1. What is the whole-school approach to behaviour?
  2. Lay the foundations of a positive behaviour culture
  3. Make sure policies are up to date and compliant
  4. Monitor behaviour and attendance in your school
  5. Questions to ask about behaviour

What is the whole-school approach to behaviour?

The Department for Education (DfE)'s guidance on behaviour in schools sets out an expectation that schools have a 'whole-school approach' to behaviour (see page 10).

A whole-school approach means that every aspect of life in your school should proactively support high standards for behaviour. This includes:

  • The school's culture, ethos and values
  • The way pupils are taught to behave
  • The way staff respond to misbehaviour
  • The way staff conduct themselves in their own relationships with other staff members, parents/carers and pupils

It starts with a positive behaviour culture

This way, your school's environment makes it easier for pupils to behave well. The environment should be calm, safe and supportive, and free from disruption.

Your written statement of behaviour principles supports a positive behaviour culture School leaders change the focus from 'rules which mustn't be broken' to setting