I am sure that most teachers recognise that in every class or group there is a “tipping point”. This occurs when the majority of the students are keen to learn and to work well with one another and any who are less willing and cooperative become side-lined and a minor irritation to their peers, rather than ringleaders.
As a young teacher in a state school many decades ago, I experienced this transformational process with a tricky year 9 (then third form) class. This same phenomenon can be seen in the wider world.
Just imagine that instead of the media and politicians constantly referring to the minority of students who do not behave well, who have limited literacy and numeracy skills and low aspirations, they celebrated the achievements and attitudes of the vast majority of students who are committed to their education, work hard, aim high and achieve well.
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