Schools across NI to see behaviour policy reviewed as minister responds to growing classroom challenges

Education Minister Paul Givan pictured with Tom Bennett who will lead on a review of behaviour policy and practice across schools.

The way behaviour is managed in schools across Northern Ireland is set for a major review after Education Minister Paul Givan announced an independent examination aimed at helping teachers deal with increasingly complex behavioural challenges in the classroom.

The review will shape a new Department of Education Behaviour Policy and updated practical guidance for schools, with the aim of creating safer, calmer and more purposeful learning environments while giving teachers clearer support in managing behaviour.

The move comes amid growing concerns about the pressures faced by teachers and school leaders, with challenging behaviour placing increasing demands on staff and reducing valuable teaching and learning time.

Independent expert appointed to lead review

To support the work, internationally recognised behaviour management expert Tom Bennett has been appointed to provide independent advice.

A former teacher, Bennett will draw on international best practice and evidence from education systems around the world to help develop new guidance tailored to Northern Ireland’s schools.

Announcing the review, Education Minister Paul Givan said:

“Creating safe, calm and purposeful learning environments is essential to ensuring that every child and young person can succeed. I recognise that increasingly complex behaviour is placing significant pressure on our teachers and school leaders, adding to workload and taking valuable time away from teaching and learning.

“This review will help ensure our approach to behaviour is clear, consistent and underpinned by the best available evidence, while giving teachers the practical support they need in the classroom.

“Tom Bennett brings a wealth of experience from across education systems internationally and his expertise will be invaluable as we move forward.”

What the review will examine

The review will assess the Department of Education’s existing behaviour policy and consider how it can be strengthened to better equip schools to deal with increasingly complex behavioural issues.

As part of the process, Bennett will engage directly with schools and stakeholders across the education sector. The review will also include a formal call for evidence and visits to schools to examine how behaviour is currently managed in practice.

The work will identify effective approaches that could be adopted more widely, with the findings directly informing both the new departmental behaviour policy and updated guidance for schools.

Experienced adviser with an international reputation

Tom Bennett is widely recognised for his work in behaviour management and education policy. He is Professor of School Behaviour at Academica University in Amsterdam and previously served as Independent Behaviour Adviser to the Department for Education in England.

His experience also includes leading England’s Behaviour Hubs programme, which supported schools in improving behaviour standards by sharing effective practice across the education system.

The Department said his international expertise will help ensure the new guidance is evidence-based, practical and capable of supporting schools facing increasingly complex classroom environments.

Work begins this summer

The review is due to begin during summer 2026 and is expected to conclude in January 2027.

Once complete, its findings will underpin a new Department of Education Behaviour Policy alongside updated guidance intended to give schools clearer, more consistent support in promoting positive behaviour and maintaining effective learning environments.

The outcome of the review is expected to influence how schools across Northern Ireland approach behaviour management in the years ahead, with the Department aiming to provide teachers and school leaders with practical tools to support both staff and pupils.