Free CPD Session for Behaviour Management in Secondary Schools
Tuesday, 22 September 2026
A free CPD session for secondary school teachers and leaders will provide practical tools and evidence-based approaches for managing challenging behaviour, drawing on research into the social contract between educators and their pupils.
Beyond Behaviour: Fairness, Power and the Implicit Social Contract will be led by Dr Ben Looker, Senior Lecturer in the University of Worcester’s Institute of Education, takes place at the University of Worcester 12.30-2.30pm Friday 6 November.
The session will draw on extensive research into teacher-to-teacher and teacher-to-pupil relationships, and the impact these interactions can have on trust, alienation and behaviour.
Aimed at teachers and leaders, the event will offer insights into the psychology behind behaviour management and explore why some pupils display challenging behaviours for certain teachers but not others.
“The event comes from a series of research studies looking at pupils who display challenging behaviours,” said Dr Looker. “We’ll explore what the research reveals about why some pupils respond differently to different teachers, and how this can be understood through the theory of an implicit social contract between teachers and pupils.”
The session will provide teachers with practical strategies that can be applied in everyday classroom settings to strengthen relationships and improve behaviour management.
“This isn’t about taking a softer approach to behaviour management,” said Dr Looker. “It’s about understanding the power imbalance between teachers and pupils, recognising pupils’ humanity, and considering how our interactions are received. Teachers can maintain firm boundaries and high expectations while building stronger relationships.”
Participants will leave with a range of resources and practical techniques to support their work, while the session itself will include interactive discussion and activities designed to encourage reflection and professional learning.
The event forms part of the University of Worcester’s wider programme of continuing professional development opportunities for teaching professionals.
To book your place, please complete this Microsoft Form.