Behaviour & Wellbeing | Dr Laura Oxley | In This Together

Transforming behaviour management is key to supporting teacher wellbeing and improving student outcomes. In this episode of In This Together, host Becky Dawson sits down with Dr Laura Oxley, a postdoctoral researcher in psychology and education, to discuss moving beyond rigid punishment systems like detentions. They explore how persistent sanctions fail at-risk students and examine how proactive, relational alternatives can reshape school culture. The conversation delves into the emotional labour required by educators and the systemic changes leaders must make to prevent burnout and boost staff retention. Dr Oxley highlights practical frameworks including restorative practice, collaborative problem-solving, and tailored support for students with complex needs. School leaders will gain actionable insights on reducing administrative burdens and building supportive, reflective spaces for staff. Takeaways Break the sanction cycle: Traditional detentions often fail to change persistent challenging behaviour for at-risk students. Protect teacher wellbeing: Relational behaviour management requires emotional labor; leaders must support staff wellbeing to prevent burnout. Reduce administrative burden: Streamlining behaviour logging and report-writing frees up energy for effective teaching and learning. Implement tailored strategies: Adopt restorative practice and collaborative problem-solving tailored to individual student needs rather than blanket policies. Prioritise peer support and recovery: Psychological detachment, clear boundaries, and informal staff support build capacity for managing complex behaviour. Foster reflective leadership: Creating spaces for educators to discuss challenges and seek help enhances staff retention and school culture. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction - Becky Dawson introduces Dr Laura Oxley and the episode focus on behaviour management and wellbeing. 00:46 - Background in Education - Dr Oxley shares her journey from teaching assistant to postdoctoral researcher. 02:08 - The Sanction Cycle - Why traditional punishments like detentions fail to create positive behaviour change. 04:12 - Barriers to Radical Change - Research insights on funding, resources, and leadership perspectives. 06:05 - Behaviour and Staff Wellbeing - Examining the emotional labor of educators and its link to staff retention. 07:56 - Wellbeing Frameworks - Applying job design, job crafting, and recovery processes in education. 10:18 - Relational Behaviour Approaches - Implementing restorative practice and collaborative problem-solving. 12:50 - Complex Needs and Understanding - Strategies for supporting students with callous-unemotional traits through playful learning. 15:37 - Reflective Supervision - The value of creating safe spaces for staff to reflect on classroom challenges. 17:15 - Key Takeaways for Leaders - Essential guidance on seeking support and fostering connection in school communities. Connect with Becky's Socials and Content https://linktr.ee/beckydawsonwellbeing 📌Sign up to Twinkl for free: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/1eq866  Explore our amazing Leaders resources here: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/r/19plea  Enjoying the show? Please follow the podcast and leave us a rating and review! If you have thoughts, feedback, or work to share, drop us an email at [email protected].