Managing behaviour in secondary schools
Behaviour is one of the biggest challenges in secondary schools. It affects teaching time, student outcomes, staff wellbeing, and whole-school culture.
In 2023–24 there were 955,000 suspensions in England, a 21% increase on the previous year. Permanent exclusions also rose by 16% to 10,900 (DfE). The most common reason? Persistent disruptive behaviour.
Behind these numbers are young people whose social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs are not being met. This is where Thrive's targeted SEMH intervention can help.
Improving behaviour starts with understanding the context
From anxiety and trauma to difficulties with attachment, when young people lack the skills to regulate, it often shows up as challenging behaviour.
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) advises that universal behaviour systems won’t meet the needs of every pupil. For those with more challenging behaviour, interventions should be adapted to the individual, with staff trained in specific strategies to provide the right support.
Key strategies for behaviour management in secondary schools:
- Developing a consistent secondary school behaviour policy – one that sets clear expectations but allows for flexibility and targeted support.
- Focusing on relationships – students are more likely to engage positively when they feel safe, respected, and understood.
- Using targeted behaviour interventions – Thrive helps schools assess students’ social and emotional skills and create tailored action plans.
- Embedding behaviour management strategies in the classroom – creating a positive learning environment.
Improve behaviour, attendance and mental health through proven SEMH support
What are common triggers of challenging behaviours in secondary schools?
Challenging behaviour rarely happens without cause. In secondary schools, common triggers include:
- Difficult transitions (KS3 to KS4, or moving between classes)
- Peer relationships, bullying, and social pressures
- Mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression
- Experiences outside school, including family stress or instability
Understanding these drivers helps schools respond more effectively. It also supports the emphasis from inspection bodies on creating calm, orderly environments where pupils feel safe and able to learn.
Ofsted and behaviour management
In the Ofsted framework, behaviour and attitudes are a core judgement. Inspectors expect schools to:
- Establish and maintain a culture of positive behaviour
- Understand each pupil's context, needs and challenges
- Implement well-chosen, targeted interventions where needed
Reduce suspensions and exclusions with proactive approaches Schools that can evidence targeted behaviour interventions, linked to students’ wider SEMH needs, are better placed to meet these expectations.
Sammy's Story
An intervention in practice
Sammy (name changed) was at risk of permanent exclusion.
With targeted SEMH support he rebuilt trust, learned to manage emotions, and grew into a role model for his peers.
Join the schools already proving impact and retaining staff
The Thrive Approach has been independently evaluated by ImpactEd through analysis of over 2,600 schools and a two-year mixed-methods study.
Schools using Thrive show:
For secondary leaders, this offers robust, external evidence to support improvement planning, governance and inspection.
DOWNLOAD SEMH INTERVENTION GUIDE
Supporting behaviour in secondary schools
This evidence-backed intervention equips staff with the training and tools to respond calmly, consistently, and with strategies that last.
The package is made up of an annual Thrive-Online subscription, Thrive Licensed Practitioner training, and implementation support, which tailored pricing to suit your needs.
What does a targeted intervention look like?
- Assessments to identify gaps in students’ social and emotional skills
- Tailored action plans with age-and stage-appropriate strategies
- Ongoing monitoring of progress and impact with Thrive-Online
- Evidence for leadership and inspections to demonstrate effectiveness
Frequently asked questions
Improving behaviour starts with understanding the reasons behind it. Many students act out because of unmet social, emotional or mental health needs. Strategies that work include developing a consistent behaviour policy, focusing on positive relationships, and using targeted behaviour interventions that adapt support to individual pupils.
A secondary school behaviour policy sets the expectations for how staff and pupils behave. It creates consistency across classrooms and social spaces, while still allowing for flexibility and targeted support when needed. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) recommends that policies work alongside tailored interventions for maximum impact.
The Thrive SEMH intervention for mainstream secondaries combines specialist staff training with an online platform to spot and address social, emotional and mental health needs early. It gives schools practical strategies, assessment tools and clear impact data, leading to better behaviour, attendance and wellbeing.
Thrive’s SEMH intervention includes:
Thrive Licensed Practitioner training (one-off fee of £1,720 + VAT)
Nominate one colleague to become your Thrive lead. They’ll be equipped with the skills to build strong relationships and deliver targeted one-to-one interventions.
Access to Thrive-Online from less than £1 per student per month
Quickly identify students facing barriers to learning with Thrive’s assessment tool. Identify SEMH needs, plan targeted interventions and demonstrate progress and impact.