The behaviour curriculum

Get to grips with the new requirement to have a behaviour curriculum. You're likely to be doing much of this already, but understand what to consider when establishing a behaviour curriculum in line with the DfE's expectations.

Last reviewed on 3 August 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 45148
Contents
  1. What is a behaviour curriculum?
  2. 1. Reflect on your school’s values
  3. 2. Set out the standards of behaviour you expect pupils to meet
  4. 3. Decide on your key habits and routines
  5. 4. Explicitly teach your expectations and routines to pupils
  6. 5. Consider making adjustments to routines for those with additional needs
  7. 6. Share your behaviour curriculum widely with key stakeholders

Paragraphs 18 to 22 of the Department for Education's (DfE's) latest guidance on behaviour in schools: advice for headteachers and school staff 2022, refers to a 'behaviour curriculum'. Bring your staff up to speed with all of the changes to the behaviour guidance for September 2022.  

What is a behaviour curriculum?

Your behaviour curriculum should define what expected behaviour looks like in your school, rather than just list prohibited behaviours. It’s a way to teach pupils ‘how we do things around here’.

A behaviour curriculum should be centred around the teaching of routines and habits - these should be used to reinforce the behaviours expected of all pupils. This is likely to be similar to how you approach behaviour in your school already. 

The guidance doesn't state that your behaviour curriculum needs to be a written document or published on your website. 

How your behavioural standards reflect