No talking in the corridors, school head tells pupils

A SECONDARY school head teacher has introduced a silence policy that bans children from talking while walking between classrooms.

Val Masson says the new rules have transformed pupils’ behaviour at the Albany School in Hornchurch, east London, since they were brought in a month ago.

Mrs Masson, who was appointed head in September 2016, said she wanted schoolchildren to benefit from an “academic atmosphere” and to build mutual respect with staff.

Under her policy, pupils must walk between lessons in complete silence and queue on the playground three times a day before classes without making noise.

From September, Year 10 students, who are studying for their GCSES, will also stay behind after school ends for four days a week to learn for an extra hour without speaking.

Mrs Masson, 51, said the number of pupils placed in isolation for poor behaviour had halved since she imposed stricter teaching methods.

She said: “We wanted a calm and academic atmosphere, like a high-end institution.

“We believe in equality for all, so even your meekest, most under-confident child should be given the space to grow.

“And silence creates a very mutually respectful relationship between students and staff.”

Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, praised the scheme.

He said: “Schools use a range of techniques to encourage orderly behaviour and create a climate for learning.

“Short periods of silence can encourage reflection and calmness in an age which is often noisy and frenetic.”