S102 Interrupt & Redirect
Non-verbal signals (silent reminders)
Aim (what it achieves)
Correct behaviour privately and quickly.
When to use
Low-level talking, calling out, fidgeting, wandering eyes.
How to use (steps)
Pre-teach 3–5 signals (e.g., point to work, hand down for quieter, tap desk for focus). Use consistently, then follow with proximity if needed.
Teacher language (examples)
No words needed; if words: “Thank you.”
Top tips (makes it work)
Teach signals explicitly; keep them calm and consistent.
Common pitfalls
Making signals sarcastic; using too many; using them inconsistently.
SEND/PP considerations
Useful for pupils who escalate with public verbal correction.
Tags
Sources
Used in
Behaviour Matrix
- Interrupt & Redirect Chatting during teacher talk / instruction
Related strategies
S104 Interrupt & Redirect
Least invasive intervention ladder
Match the smallest effective response to the behaviour.
S101 Interrupt & Redirect
Proximity and presence
Stop low-level disruption without breaking teaching flow.
S105 Interrupt & Redirect
Clear ‘what to do’ direction (observable)
Turn ‘stop it’ into a clear next action.
S109 Interrupt & Redirect
Tactical ignoring + spotlight compliance
Starve minor attention-seeking while reinforcing the norm.
S110 Interrupt & Redirect
Procedural seat change (quiet reset)
Break patterns (peer friction, chatting) without confrontation.
S119 Interrupt & Redirect
Prompt with a question (self-correction)
Encourage pupils to correct themselves without a battle.