The report out last month on effective teaching, by Pearson, explores what attributes helps excellent teachers thrive. Humour and a 'controversial teaching style' were cited as key elements of teaching success. Skills in behaviour management is singled out as a key area where differences between poor, good and excellent schools are most evident.
In observations in classrooms of good and excellent schools more traditional ideas of authoritarian teaching are dismissed in favour of a more friendly approach. In the report it is noted that in good schools: "The teacher has to discipline once...does so in jokey manner" and "Demeanour of teacher: relaxed, does not raise their voice, lots of smiles...laughed with children".
By contrast, observers of lessons in poor schools remarked: "Teacher strives for control and to make themselves heard. Shouts, lengthy lectures, public castigation. "I'm not interested! I'm not in the mood for you!"
The report, Exploring Effective Pedagogy in Primary Schoolson dozens of research papers including Effective Pedagogy in Primary Schools in English and Maths, which contains observations from 125 Year 5 classrooms.
