There are a whole host of reasons why you might encounter challenging students, and often, the reasons behind their behaviour aren’t entirely clear. Even when you can identify a cause, that on the surface appears to be more obvious, such as recent bereavement, displacement or physical illness, it doesn’t necessarily make challenging behaviour easier to tackle.

Matthew Burton is the head teacher at Thornhill Community Academy in Dewsbury and appeared on Channel 4’s Educating Yorkshire. Matthew has written for NCFE about making pivotal curriculum decisions on behalf of learners by using a considered and creative approach to ensure learning success and wellbeing across all intersections of the school.

When it comes to self-care, research and data implies the most important element is sleep. If we are to be productive in whatever our life demands and be able to face the challenges we are confronted with, then sleep is the cornerstone of being able to do this and stay well.