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Paul Dix
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When the Adults Change, Everything Changes: Seismic Shifts in School Behaviour Paperback – August 31, 2017

by Paul Dix (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,430 ratings
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In When the Adults Change, Everything Changes: Seismic Shifts in School Behaviour, Paul Dix upends the debate on behaviour management in schools and offers effective tips and strategies that serve to end the search for change in children and turn the focus back on the adults.

You can buy in the best behaviour tracking software, introduce 24/7 detentions or scream NO EXCUSES as often as you want but ultimately the solution lies with the behaviour of the adults. It is the only behaviour over which we have absolute control. Drawing on anecdotal case studies, scripted interventions and approaches which have been tried and tested in a range of contexts, from the most challenging urban comprehensives to the most privileged international schools, behaviour training expert and Pivotal Education director Paul Dix advocates an inclusive approach that is practical, transformative and rippling with respect for staff and learners. An approach in which behavioural expectations and boundaries are exemplified by people, not by a thousand rules that nobody can recall.

When the Adults Change, Everything Changes illustrates how, with their traditional sanction- and exclusion-led methods, the punishment brigade are losing the argument. It outlines how each school can build authentic practice on a stable platform, resulting in shifts in daily rules and routines, in how we deal with the angriest learners, in restorative practice and in how we appreciate positive behaviour.

Each chapter is themed and concludes with three helpful checklists Testing, Watch out for and Nuggets designed to help you form your own behaviour blueprint. Throughout the book both class teachers and school leaders will find indispensable advice about how to involve all staff in developing a whole school ethos built on kindness, empathy and understanding. Suitable for all head teachers, school leaders, teachers, NQTs and classroom assistants in any phase or context, including SEND and alternative provision settings who are looking to upgrade their own classroom management or school behaviour plan.

Contents include:

1. Visible Consistency, Visible Kindness

2. The Counter-Intuitive Classroom

3. Deliberate Botheredness

4. Certainty in Adult Behaviour

5. Keystone Classroom Routines

6. Universal Microscripts: Flipping the Script

7. Punishment Addiction, Humiliation Hangover

8. Restore, Redraw, Repair

9. Some Children Follow Rules, Some Follow People

10. Your Behaviour Policy Sucks!

11. The 30 Day Magic

Named one of Book Authority's best education reform books of all time and one of the best education books of all time.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    252 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Independent Thinking Press
  4. Publication date
    August 31, 2017
  5. Dimensions
    6.1 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9781781352731
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1781352731
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

This book is a must-read for every school leader. If you want to create an inclusive school where children s behaviour is not only managed, but is changed as well, you should not miss out on reading this book. --Sue Cowley, teacher and education author

This book is a must-read for anyone who works with children or young people. Teachers, youth workers and support staff at the beginning of their careers will discover a wide range of useful strategies and explanations as they begin to tackle the sometimes mystifying behaviours exhibited by young people today. More seasoned leaders are guaranteed to find behaviour management gems that will both enhance and strengthen their toolkit. Paul s writing is incisive and challenging; it successfully conveys a clear sense of his extensive and dedicated experience of all sectors of education. I am particularly pleased to see his recognition of the wealth of valuable experience and excellent practice that can be found amongst staff who work within the alternative provision sector, who have long been undervalued. Each chapter of this book is themed and concludes with three helpful checklists Testing, Watch out for and Nuggets which the reader will return to again and again for reference. --Seamus Oates, CBE, CEO, TBAP Multi-Academy Trust

This book is a game changer. Your students need you to read When the Adults Change, Everything Changes. Reading this book is like sitting down and having a coffee and a chat with Paul Dix while he lays out a road map showing you how to avoid pitfalls and transform lives. Rather than a list of quick behaviour tips, it offers a how-to mindset shift that sets staff (and students) up to win. If you came into teaching to make a difference, make this the next book you read. It s typically generous of Paul to create such a gift of a resource for trainees, teachers and veterans alike a blueprint for building authentic relationships with students, even in seemingly impossible situations. On a personal note, teachers like Paul (and like you if you choose to read this fantastic book) literally saved my life. It s not easy being a hero, but this book gives you all of the tools and wisdom you need to put your intentions into action. --Jaz Ampaw-Farr, speaker, author and Resilience Ninja

About the Author

As a teacher, leader and teacher trainer, Paul Dix has been working to transform the most difficult behaviour in the most challenging urban schools, referral units and colleges for the last 25 years. Miraculously, Paul trained at Homerton College, Cambridge, after countless attempts to sabotage his own education. He then moved on to work in tricky schools in East London, Nuneaton and Birmingham.

In addition to working directly with schools, Paul has advised the Department for Education on the teachers standards, given evidence to the Education Select Committee and done extensive work with the Ministry of Justice on behaviour and restraint in youth custody. He has published five books on behaviour and assessment, in addition to over 250 articles on behaviour. Paul won a national training award in 2009 for his work in helping a school transform from failing to good in just nine months. He also chairs the board of directors of a multi-academy trust which comprises 11 special schools a role he undertakes voluntarily and leads the #BanTheBooths campaign.

Go to whentheadultschange.com to find out more about When The Adults Change, Everything Changes

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1781352739
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independent Thinking Press (August 31, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 252 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781781352731
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1781352731
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.1 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,430 ratings

About the author

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Paul Dix

Paul Dix

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As a teacher, leader and teacher trainer, Paul has been working with the most difficult behaviours in the most challenging contexts for the last 30 years. Miraculously Paul studied at Homerton College Cambridge after countless attempts to sabotage his own education. Paul works across Local Authorities building relational practice in schools and Childrens' Services.

Paul fell in love with teaching while working as a Teaching Assistant at 19. Teaching inspired him. It still does.

Paul has advised the Department for Education on Teacher Standards, given evidence to the Education Select Committee and worked with the Ministry of Justice on Behaviour and Restraint in Youth Custody.

His book When The Adults Change, Everything Changes 2017, Crown House has been a best seller for 6 years selling 150,000 copies.

On September 5th 2023, Penguin (Cornerstone Press) will publish When The Parents Change Everything Changes.

Tweets too much on @PaulDixTweets.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
2,430 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Mark
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Read...
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is a great book. Heard it recommended countless times on different educational podcasts. I am an assistant principal and I am always looking for ways to help our teachers grow in the area of classroom management. I am also looking to grow as a restorative leader. This book provides a lot of powerful talking points and easy to use strategies. I highly recommend for any educator. One of the best educational books I have read in a long time.
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Anita M White
5.0 out of 5 stars Don't be afraid of change!
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2017
Verified Purchase
I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS BOOK . . .GREAT INFO FOR SOME SCHOOL STAFF WHO THINK THEY KNOW IT ALL.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Emma2006
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 2, 2024
Verified Purchase
Loved this book and it has some great ideas in.
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SteveFrancis
5.0 out of 5 stars Students don't learn much from people they don't like
Reviewed in Australia on February 13, 2018
Verified Purchase
I love this book by UK author Paul Dix. He really captures the importance of positive relationships between a teacher and a student. Many schools emphasise the 'consequences' aspect of their behaviour management plans and have increasing levels of 'punishment' for students who don't meet expectations. However this can create a disconnection and a power struggle that limits the student's learning. Dix highlights the point that students don't learn much from people they don't like. I am a firm believer that as educators we are in the 'people business' and that relationships are REALLY important. My favourite read of the summer!
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Dr Tim O'Brien
5.0 out of 5 stars An essential read for anyone working with, or interested in, behaviour in schools
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 21, 2017
Verified Purchase
One option available to schools and other organisations to whom the behaviour of children and young people is a priority is to adopt the so-called 'No Excuses' approach. Paul Dix makes it very clear that he is opposed to the 'No Excuses' approach and it's “ugly deterrents”. He has a disregard for ‘Zero Tolerance’ too, which, he argues, inevitably leads to increased punishments and ultimate exclusion. He also calls out the damaging interventions of, what he refers to as, "the punishment brigade". Paul Dix believes in - and describes - a different way. This book is about that different way.

The author proposes the development of a culture in schools where positive routines and practical strategies create support and certainty. He vehemently argues that schools - all types of schools - should create a culture that promotes visible consistency, botheredness and kindness; a culture where young people are “ready, respectful and safe”. It is also a reflective culture that asks questions like, ‘what would it be like if adults refused to shout?’ ‘what would it be like if we focused positive attention on effort and not on achievement?’ ‘what would it be like if, when appropriate, the adults said sorry?’ The author is interested in how changes like this can and will have a positive impact upon behaviour in the school?

What Paul Dix has achieved in this book is to challenge and move beyond inherently problematic adult-constructed systemic impositions on young people. He offers a radically different vision and perspective where adults in every school take a look at their own behaviour and how that impacts upon school culture regarding behaviour and wider. The author is not saying that “difficult” or “extreme behaviour” is the fault of teachers. In fact, he asserts that schools should support teachers who are dealing with such challenges. His proposition is that the only behaviour that adults can have complete control over is their own. The title of the book illustrates what he thinks happens when adults do take control of their own behaviour.

The writing is forthright – for example, Chapter 10 is called “Your Behaviour Policy Sucks”. The author puts forward a simple solution so that weighty and meaningless behaviour policy documents can be banished from schools. The book is realistic – for example, things do not always go well and therefore restorative approaches are detailed should they be needed. The individuality of young people is respected throughout – for example, the reader is encouraged to think about what might be going on in the life of some children and how that can impact upon their behaviour. The whole tone of the book is passionate and optimistic – change can happen and this book will help it to happen.

On the back cover of the book Paul Dix is described as a 'notorious teacher-wrangler'.
If you are a teacher, especially one interested in behaviour, you should definitely buy this book and enjoy being wrangled.
You'll have laughs along the way too.
23 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
Reviewed in Australia on May 13, 2020
Verified Purchase
We are using the pivotal method in our school
Not all ideas suitable for us but many that we can adapt and use
Having taught in the English system it brought back memories
Entertaining thought provoking read
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Anna
5.0 out of 5 stars Great condition.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 5, 2024
Verified Purchase
The book is really great especially as a second hand purchase. I’ve not read it yet but it is highly recommended.
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