Pupils should supervise lunches

A recent reports suggests that older pupils should become paid dinner supervisors in school canteens and lunchtimes should be made longer not shorter. The School Food Trust suggests that lengthening the daily lunch break would allow pupils to relax, eat properly and recuperate for the afternoon's lessons. It also says that teachers should sit among pupils and communicate using coloured cards to avoid having to shout.

The booklet 'A Fresh Look at the School Meal Experience' is really interesting and it has lots of practical ideas for making lunch times a positive experience for everyone!

Rewards for unruly pupils

Education Secretary, Alan Johnson, has unveiled plans to reward good behaviour with I-pods and mountain bikes.

New Government advice states that pupils should be given five rewards for every criticism or punishment. The advice states, "It has long been established that rewards are more effective than punishment in motivating pupils. By praising and rewarding positive behaviour, others will be encouraged to act similarly. It is advisable to pay attention to those who have previously been associated with poor behaviour or who have been less likely to meet standards so that it is not always the same ("good") pupils who receive praise and rewards."

Teachers are warned not to impose whole-class detentions or other sanctions which 'punish the innocent as well as the guilty'.

BBC