Modern Accountability: Dusting off the "Old School"
I’m not suggesting we bring back the dunce’s cap or Victorian-era silence. However, in an age of complex pastoral systems, there is something to be said for the "old school" approach to daily accountability. Sometimes, the simplest methods for managing the "rough and tumble" of school life are the most effective at building character and responsibility.
Here are a few classics—revisited for the 21st century:
1. The "Security Deposit"
We’ve all been there: a student arrives without a pen, pencil, or calculator. While we want to be supportive, a "free" spare often ends up lost or chewed by the end of the period. One effective (if slightly eccentric) trick is the collateral exchange. If a student needs to borrow equipment, offer it in exchange for a "security deposit"—perhaps a house point token or a small personal item (within reason!). It’s a gentle nudge toward organisation, and it virtually guarantees your equipment is returned at the end of the hour. Everyone wins: they get to work, and you keep your stationery budget intact.
2. Service to the Subject
If a student has been consistently off-task or drifting, rather than a standard "sit and stare" detention, try a subject-based service. In Geography, this might mean organising the map drawer or ensuring the class set of equipment is ready for the next group. This isn't about "missing break" as a hollow punishment; it’s about making a positive contribution back to the classroom environment they disrupted. It’s restorative, practical, and reinforces the idea that being part of a learning community requires effort.
3. The Power of Repetition
In the digital age, spelling and grammar can feel like "AutoCorrect's problem." But the "old school" method of correcting errors three times still holds water. It isn't about mindless "lines"; it’s about muscle memory and cognitive focus. When a student misspells a key term, having them write the correction manually helps the brain flag the error for next time. It’s a small, rigorous habit that prioritises attention to detail—a skill that never goes out of fashion.
4. Reflection, Not Just "Standing"
We’ve moved past the days of "facing the wall" in a corner (which, looking back, was as bizarre for the teacher as it was for the pupil!). However, the core of that idea was the pause. Today, we call this "Time In" or "Reflective Thinking." Giving a student a quiet space to sit—away from their peers—allows the "behavioural" brain to cool down so the "cognitive" brain can take over. It’s not about studying the plasterwork; it’s about studying their own choices before they rejoin the group.
Of course, we’ve come a long way from the days of the board rubber being a "teaching aid," but a little dose of traditional accountability can go a long way in keeping a classroom focused and fair.