Sticking to the rules in any school can be hard, particularly if you don't really understand why they're there in the first place. But figuring out what's ok and what's not is vital to having a good day and enjoying the best bits of school. Let's face it, none of us like being told off constantly.
YouTuber Lee Hinchcliffe definitely didn't get all of the rules at his school and if you feel the same, or your worried about what kind you might encounter, then watch Lee's chat with teacher Chloe, as she explains they're actually there to help you. Once you've watched, you can scroll down for more tips.
Lee: One major adjustment I had to make when I was starting secondary school was getting to grips with all the new rules. So Chloe, as a teacher, can you tell me why do we even have school rules?
Chloe: Well, in all schools rules are there to keep all the students calm, safe and ready to learn.
Lee: Ah, right. Okay.
Chloe: It's really important that when you start school to listen to what the rules are and what sanctions are in place if you break those rules. But on the flip side, you can also find out what rewards are in place for positive behaviour and merits.
Lee: I think I got a biscuit once for being well-behaved.
Chloe: Oh, nice.
Lee: We've got a question from Douglas in Year 7.
Douglas: If I get in trouble for talking too much at school, what should I do?
Chloe: Oh, Lee, did you get in trouble at school?
Lee: Well, I was a bit of a class clown, but I didn't do anything to get in serious trouble.
Chloe: Now, if you do find yourself getting in trouble all the time for talking or for anything else, it's important to think about why that might be happening. And if you are still struggling, do speak to a member of staff who may give you some practical tips and advice.
Lee: But who is best to chat to?
Chloe: Well, some people find following rules tricky, but you can ask your form tutor or head of year, and they can offer support and make some adjustments to help you.
Lee: Our next question is from Elodie in Year 9, who asks, if I'm in a disruptive class, how do I focus on what I'm doing? I had classes like this - most of the time was spent telling the kids off.
Chloe: If you鈥檙e in a difficult class, and you鈥檙e finding it hard to learn, it's important to try and stay out of the disruptive behaviour.
Lee: Sometimes easier said than done.
Chloe: It is, but do you stay behind and speak to your teacher if you can.
Lee: Good shout.
Chloe: They might be able to change the seating plan or keep an eye on those that are disrupting you. Whatever your worry is with behaviour, whether it's yours or someone else's, it's always best to speak to your teacher and get it sorted.
What can I do to follow school rules?
Still not convinced of why some rules are there, or how to handle things if you disagree? Here are some top tips.
Understand the consequences
Listen carefully when the behaviour management system is being explained to you 鈥 it might also be written down for you in your homework planner. It鈥檚 important you understand what sanctions are in place for breaking certain rules. You can also learn about the rewards for good behaviour 鈥 win!
Create a positive environment
You might not understand every rule straight away, but the main thing to remember is that teachers have rules to help to create an environment where everyone can thrive and grow.
Accept the rules
If you're given a sanction for misbehaving or breaking a rule, accept it respectfully 鈥 arguing back with a teacher can create more problems. If you disagree with a teacher's decision, try speaking to your head of year.
Get detention done with
You might end up with a detention for forgetting a piece of homework or arriving late to a lesson. Again, the best thing is to accept it positively. The faster you serve that detention, the sooner it's in the rearview mirror. Make sure you learn from it and try to stay within the rules next time. If you need more support, you could speak to your head of year or form tutor. Need help with your homework deadlines? then read this guide.
Don't forget, secondary school is somewhere you can grow and develop as a person 鈥 and we've got lots of tips and advice to help you. For more school essentials, head to our study skills page.
If you need support
You should always tell someone about the things you鈥檙e worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you鈥檙e doing.
If you鈥檙e in need of in-the-moment support you can contact , where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on 大象传媒 Action Line.
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