What Works Best: Key practices for positive student behaviour evidence guide
This resource was originally published 13 March 2026.
Summary
This guide outlines 6 evidence-informed strategies used by teachers and leaders to establish and embed positive student behaviour.
Drawing on high quality research, it provides advice to teachers and school leaders on effective practices to optimise behaviours that create safe and respectful learning environments, which support learning and promote academic achievement.
Focusing on Tier 1 universal support, the paper offers schools a strong foundation to establish and sustain positive student behaviour. It is designed to support both individual teachers seeking to refine, update, or validate their practice, and school leaders aiming to implement whole-school behaviour strategies.
When implemented together effectively, these 6 strategies can help reduce inappropriate behaviours.
The 6 strategies to support positive student behaviour are:
- Teaching behaviour explicitly
- Building positive teacher-student relationships
- Embedding high expectations and clear routines for behaviour
- Using proactive and responsive classroom management strategies
- Supporting diversity through culturally responsive and inclusive practices
- Implementing consistent whole-school approaches to behaviour