Revolutionising Classroom Management: No Rewards, No Punishments with Rachel Tomlinson

Join us on the latest Able to Care podcast with Rachel Tomlinson, head teacher at Barrowford Primary School, as she delves into their innovative approach to classroom management that eliminates traditional rewards and punishments. Drawing from nurture principles and restorative practices, Rachel explains how the school prioritizes building relationships, providing feedback, and teaching social behaviors. This nurturing approach has garnered positive feedback from staff, parents, and the community, highlighting the importance of investing in children's individual needs. Discover the impact of fostering a community rooted in love, respect, and responsibility, and explore the difference between compliance and genuine respect. Rachel and Andy also discuss the critical role of adults in modeling responsible behavior, the limitations of punishment and reward systems, and the significance of personal responsibility. Additionally, they highlight the importance of teacher self-care and its effect on supporting students. Learn about the restorative conversation model used at Barrowford, which focuses on listening, exploring emotions, reflecting on impact, and planning next steps, and consider how this approach can be applied in secondary schools.

Timestamps:

00:00Introduction to Rachel Tomlinson and Barrowford Primary School

08:26Misunderstandings and the Importance of Kindness

26:36The Impact of a Nurturing Approach

35:05Language and Modeling: Promoting a Nurturing Community

51:23Building Positive Relationships

59:42Creating a Restorative Culture in Schools

01:08:00Applying the Restorative Approach in Secondary Schools

Key Messages:

• Barrowford Primary School has removed rewards and punishments from their classroom management system.The decision to remove the carrot and the stick principles came from access to training in nurture principles and restorative approaches.
• The school focuses on building relationships, providing feedback instead of rewards, and teaching children how to navigate social behaviors.
• Creating a safe and nurturing environment is essential for all children to thrive.
• Teaching children to take personal responsibility for their behavior is more effective than relying on punishment and reward systems.
• Language and modeling play a crucial role in promoting a nurturing and respectful community.
• Self-care for teachers is important for their well-being and ability to support students.

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