The current picture: behaviour in schools is getting worse
Across the UK, teachers and school leaders are reporting a sharp rise in disruptive behaviour, emotionally dysregulated pupils, and a growing number of children unable to cope in a classroom environment.
- Suspensions hit 955,000 in 2023-24. A 21% rise from the previous year
- Permanent exclusions rose to 10,900, with over half due to persistent disruptive behaviour
1 in 5
One in five teaching hours are being lost due to disruption.
What causes challenging behaviour?
There's no single reason a child behaves disruptively. Often, it's a mix of emotional, relational and environmental factors.
Some common root causes include:
Unmet emotional needs, including difficulty with self-regulation or expressing emotions safely.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as trauma, neglect or loss.
Undiagnosed or unsupported SEND, including ADHD, autism or speech and language difficulties.
Masking behaviours, especially in neurodivergent children, where emotional distress is hidden behind compliance or withdrawal.
Relational or environmental triggers, including transitions, inconsistency or stress at home.
Thrive's approach starts with understanding the emotional drivers behind behaviour.
Implementing behaviour management Strategies School-wide
- Know and understand your pupils.
- Teach learning behaviours alongside academic content.
- Use classroom management strategies to support positive behaviour.
- Use simple approaches as part of your regular routine.
- Use targeted approaches to meet individual needs.
- Consistency is key.
(EEF Improving Behaviour in Schools Guidance)
At Thrive, we help schools put these principles into practice by embedding a whole-school or targeted intervention approach to behaviour and emotional wellbeing.
How Thrive can support behaviour in schools
Thrive's approach to behaviour management combines emotional insight with practical strategies. Through our training and tools, we help schools create supportive environments that foster the overall growth of every pupil.
Our training
Thrive Apprenticeships: Funded through the apprenticeship-levy (England educators only) our apprenticeships are a game-changer for educators ready to specialise in social and emotional wellbeing. These programmes empower you to make a real difference to children’s lives while gaining a prestigious Level 5 qualification, equivalent to a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (HND).
Thrive Licensed Practitioner Courses: For those seeking a deeper exploration, our advanced Thrive Licensed Practitioner courses delve into the complexities of pupil behaviour and emotional wellbeing. These courses help practitioners support and improve the emotional wellbeing and resilience of the children they work with.
Thrive-Online: An innovative assessment and action planning tool
Thrive-Online is an award-winning software solution that helps schools adopt a whole-school or college approach to behaviour. With the tool you can assess pupils' social and emotional wellbeing and create tailored action plans to support them. By using Thrive-Online, schools can monitor progress, adjust strategies as needed, and achieve measurable improvements in pupil behaviour.
This early intervention approach helps staff prevent crises, rather than just reacting when things go wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Teachers can support children's mental health by creating a safe and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable expressing themselves. They should recognise signs of distress early, offer positive reinforcement, and model healthy coping strategies. Collaborating with mental health professionals and maintaining open communication with parents ensures comprehensive support.
Additionally, integrating stress management techniques into the curriculum and promoting peer support initiatives equips students with essential skills for managing emotions and building resilience. Teachers should encourage pupils to seek help from trusted adults or wellbeing resources within the school community when needed.
If a teacher believes a child needs more clinical treatment, they can refer them to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). CAMHS offers access to trained mental health professionals such as social workers, psychologists, and family therapists. However, be aware that waiting times for this service can be long.
Teachers can consider enrolling in one of our Pupil Wellbeing courses to enhance their ability to support student wellbeing. These courses provide essential knowledge in neuroscience, attachment theory, and child development, empowering educators to effectively support pupils' emotional health.
In 2023, a survey by NHS England revealed that one in five children and young people in England, aged eight to 25, likely experienced a mental disorder. This included mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and behavioural issues. Notably, rates of eating disorders also showed significant increases, particularly among 17 to 19-year-olds, affecting 12.5% of this age group compared to 0.8% in 2017.
These findings highlight how common mental health issues are among young people in education. As a result, programs like Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) have been set up in schools to offer support.
As more children face mental health challenges, there's a growing need for well-funded support systems within schools, including counselling and Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) for early intervention.
While schools can be a source of support, they also pose stress, particularly during exams. Integrating mental health services ensures timely access to resources. Financial constraints on schools and local authorities remain a barrier, though.
In addition to traditional counselling, Thrive offers a trauma-informed whole school approach focusing on social and emotional needs. Grounded in neuroscience and attachment theory, it empowers educators to build supportive environments. Thrive emphasises early intervention and resilience-building, not diagnosis or therapeutic counselling for specific conditions, to enhance overall wellbeing in school communities.
Mental health problems in schools can stem from various factors. Key causes include bullying, abuse, and bereavement, which can lead to long-term anxiety and depression. Difficult home life, like divorce or family conflicts, and major changes like moving to a new house can cause mental distress.
Teen substance abuse and pre-existing conditions like ADHD or autism also increase the risk of mental health issues. Providing targeted support and training in schools and colleges is essential for addressing these issues.