Disruptive pupil behaviour was a major concern to teachers, parents, and education authorities in the 1980s. The Elton committee (1989) reported that serious violence to teachers was rare but that problems of disruption, often aggravated by the poor training of teachers, was widespread and increasing.

First published in 1984, Disruptive Children-Disruptive Schools? helped pioneer the idea that schools make a difference and that they are ultimately responsible for successful education, irrespective of a child’s social or behavioural background. It encourages teachers to confidently assume more responsibility for the definition, precipitation, and treatment of problem behaviour.

Disruptive Children-Disruptive Schools? promotes the possibility of changing behaviour—in schools, teachers, and the pupils themselves. Its concerns are practical—to enable effective teaching and planning and to remove unnecessary strain and frustration. It will be of great value to both training and practising teachers.