They Behave For Me

Is behaviour better in primaries or secondaries? With Grainne Hallahan

Oct 3, 2025
Grainne Hallahan, a researcher and founder of TeacherTap, joins the hosts to delve into fascinating school behavior data. They discuss whether behavior is better in primary or secondary schools, revealing surprising insights. Grainne shares how mobile phone policies, like bans and pouch systems, impact distractions and compliance rates. The conversation also touches on uniform policies, like banning skirts, and their unexpected effects on behavior. Plus, they explore the rise of AI-assisted cheating and its implications for teachers.
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INSIGHT

Strict Phone Policies Cut Visible Use

  • Strong, simple phone bans reduce visible phone use significantly compared to permissive rules.
  • Clear policy consistency across staff also makes enforcement far easier and more effective.
ADVICE

Make Phone Rules Simple And School-Wide

  • If you can, adopt an all-or-nothing phone policy to reduce incidents and staff workload.
  • Use consistent school-wide rules so every teacher enforces the same standard during the day.
INSIGHT

Tech Access Creates Inevitable Distraction

  • Devices designed for distraction will almost always distract pupils, even when lockdowns or restrictions exist.
  • Allowing devices for learning creates spillover opportunities for off-task behaviour and reduced attention.
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