Essential Guides for Early Career Teachers: Understanding and Developing Positive Behaviour in Schools

The book is an excellent resource both for early career teachers and those who support them. As the author says, behaviour is so often the area that new teachers worry about the most and sadly can be a reason why some leave the profession.

This book is an excellent combination of really practical, actionable advice and the broader theoretical frameworks and perspectives that underpin why it is likely to work. The focus on helping teachers to understand their own behaviour and triggers and responses to situations is particularly welcome as this so often unlocks the best,  most productive way forward in both the short and longer term

-- Professor Samantha Twiselton, Sheffield Hallam University

If only this essential guide had been available when I was an Early Career Teacher, it would have prevented me from falling into the many pit-falls I found myself in.

Patrick offers a wealth of practical advice and guidance for developing positive behaviour in both primary and secondary schools. His experience of working with colleagues at all ages and stages of their career has been collated in this easy-to-read guidebook bursting with ideas and advice.

-- Tracey Smith, University of Buckingham

This is a gem of a book. It demystifies behaviour management in the classroom through a series of reading, reflection and practical tasks, supplemented with case studies, which walk the reader through the theory and practice of positive behaviour management in a way which is entirely accessible and engaging. An essential read for any early career teacher. We will be ordering copies straight away!

-- Rachael Warwick, Executive Headteacher, Ridgeway Education Trust and ASCL President 2020-21

When I say that this book's best feature is it brevity, I mean that as a true compliment. Early career teachers are bombarded with recommended reading, and Patrick Garton engagingly cuts to the chase. As one of the lead authors of the 'Teachers' Standards' I applaud the way this text places centre-stage teachers' focus on developing students' positive attitudes to learning. Without those, the teacher is lost. 

Winningly for the busy reader, Garton includes real stories by teachers and leaders which give a truth to this book about life in contemporary classrooms. I warmly recommend this title - and the wider Essential Guides series - to trainee teachers and those new to the profession. Experienced colleagues might find a few refresher tips too.

-- Roy Blatchford CBE, Deputy Chair of the Teachers Standards Review (