Education Minister Paul Givan has announced a review of school behaviour policy and appointed behaviour expert Tom Bennett as an independent adviser. The review, starting this summer, is due to conclude in January 2027 and will inform new guidance for schools.

The initiative aims to create safer, calmer learning environments and give teachers practical support for managing complex behaviour. Ulster Unionist education spokesperson Jon Burrows responded by calling for tangible changes in classrooms, not just a new advisory role.

Burrows, the North Antrim MLA who has repeatedly raised concerns about discipline and teacher pressures, said many teachers feel unsupported when serious incidents occur. They want assurance that school leaders and education authorities will back them.

Teachers want principals to support them and to know that disruptive pupils are not quickly returned to class without consequences. Principals similarly want the Education Authority to respect their professional judgement when all options are exhausted, he added.

Burrows said his party did not oppose the announcement in principle, but warned that expectations would fade if schools saw little change. He stressed that schools need a culture of strong leadership, clear expectations, and real consequences for a small minority of repeat offenders, without making teachers or well-behaved pupils feel at fault.

He also highlighted concerns raised by female teachers and pupils about behaviour and safety. Schools must balance support for children facing difficulties at home with protecting the learning environment for the majority, he said. He called for adequate special educational needs resourcing to help teachers, but argued that empathy must be paired with support for those who deserve a safe place to teach and learn.

Burrows further urged that teacher training colleges in Belfast be brought into policy discussions to help develop practical solutions.

The Department of Education says the review’s findings will underpin a new departmental behaviour policy and updated school guidance. Attention will focus on whether the initiative leads to meaningful improvements in how behaviour issues are handled in classrooms.