Review of Northern Ireland Behaviour Policy

This review is being led by an independent expert, Tom Bennett OBE, and aims to develop a clear, evidence-informed understanding of the main behavioural challenges currently facing schools and to identify effective approaches and interventions that support positive behaviour, wellbeing, and learning. 

Tom Bennett, a leading expert in behaviour management, has been appointed to provide independent advice, drawing on international best practice to help develop new, evidence-based guidance for schools.

Tom Bennett brings a wealth of experience from across education systems internationally. He is a former teacher and his experience includes serving as Independent Behaviour Adviser to the Department for Education in England.

The review aims to strengthen how behaviour is managed across the education system and will inform the development of a new Department of Education Behaviour Policy, as well as updated, practical guidance for schools.

Creating safe, calm and purposeful learning environments is essential to ensuring that every child and young person can succeed. Increasingly complex behaviour is placing significant pressure on our teachers and school leaders, adding to workload and taking valuable time away from teaching and learning.

This review will help ensure our approach to behaviour is clear, consistent and underpinned by the best available evidence, while giving teachers the practical support they need in the classroom.

The review will examine the Department’s existing behaviour policy and will consider how it can be strengthened to better support schools in managing increasingly complex behavioural challenges. It will include engagement with schools and stakeholders across the sector, a formal call for evidence and school visits. The work will also identify effective practice and scalable approaches to behaviour management, with findings directly informing updated policy and guidance for schools.

The review will inform the development of:

• A Departmental Behaviour Policy Statement setting out the strategic direction; and
• Updated Behaviour Guidance for Schools, providing clear and practical implementation guidance.

The review commenced in June 2026 and is due to conclude by December 2026, with final policy and guidance to be published in January 2027.

Documentation relating to the review will be published here.