Sam Strickland is the principal of a large all-through school and has helped to guide its GCSE results from the bottom 20% nationally to the top 20%, and A-level outcomes to the top 5% nationally. Sam began his teaching career as a history teacher in Bedfordshire having completed his PGCE in secondary history at the University of Cambridge under Christine Counsell. His career quickly accelerated and he became head of history and Classics. He then moved on to become a lead professional and worked for a SCITT consortium. During his time as an assistant headteacher, he had responsibility for the sixth form and led a post-16 consortium arrangement. Sam also served as a vice principal where he directly oversaw student care, the sixth form and the curriculum, and served as the safeguarding lead for an entire trust. Sam has served as an associate principal, with GCSE and A-level results under his tenure receiving commendation from the DfE, Nick Gibb and the SSAT. The organiser of researchED Northampton and author of Education Exposed, Education Exposed 2, The Behaviour Manual, They Don't Behave for Me and Is Leadership a Race?, he is a leading voice in the current conversation in education. He has had educational resources and research published, he regularly delivers courses and keynotes nationally and he has served as a lead facilitator for a variety of NPQs.
They Don't Behave For Me is a masterclass in how to develop a coherent and considered approach to all aspects of behaviour in secondary. Each scenario, and its associated suggested strategies, is brought to life by Sam's decades of experience in teaching and leading. His deep, expert knowledge gently guides the reader through how to deal with everything from low level disruption to the most serious situations that can and do present themselves in school. Knowing what to do and how to respond when students 'don't behave for me' can be challenging; Sam's latest book provides expert advice and guidance, all underpinned by his current leadership and teaching practice. This is beyond just the theoretical; this is a mentor, a coach, and a grandmaster by your side as you read. Concise and considered, precise and informed, incisive and empowering, They Don't Behave For Me is a must-read for trainees, teachers, leaders, mentors, ECTs, and behaviour leads across the secondary phase. * Emma Turner FCCT, MAT deputy director of Education and author * Sam Strickland is the authentic voice of the classroom and the school. Every teacher and leader needs practical advice, not theory or good intentions. Every page here rings with that, and truth. * Tom Bennett, founder of researchED, behaviour advisor to the Department for Education and author * Goodness, we've all been there: the serious and not so serious infringements in behaviour. There's something very powerful about seeing these set out in a beautifully tight structure with wise guidance on possible responses. An incredibly practical and reassuring guide, really helpful for everyone in education. * Mary Myatt, writer and speaker, Myatt & Co * If you want a book about behaviour management, chunked up in very readable style, this is worth more than a glance. The chapter titles mean what they say, from Smile for the Paparazzi and Solo Duty to Lunchtime Detentions are Great and The Car Park Ambush. The author knows schools, knows teachers, knows young people. The Strickland Checklist of Rs which concludes the book is as good a resume of managing challenging situations in schools as any I have come across. Tremendous! The writer makes his moments real, and then makes them matter. * Roy Blatchford CBE, author of The A–Z of Great Classrooms. *