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S120 Interrupt & Redirect

Behavioural narration

Aim (what it achieves)

Increase immediate compliance after instructions by narrating exactly what successful students are doing.

When to use

Right after you give a direction and need a fast, calm reset of attention and start-up behaviour.

How to use (steps)

1) Give clear instructions and your start cue. 2) Within 2 seconds, scan for 2-3 students who are following the instruction. 3) Narrate what you can see in factual, neutral language. 4) For older groups, narrate tables/groups or keep names anonymous. 5) Repeat once or twice to reinforce the instruction positively. 6) If disruption continues after narration, move to a clear corrective action.

Teacher language (examples)

"When I say go, books out and silent start. Ready, go." "I can see books open and page 4 started on this side." "Table 3 is set up and working in silence."

Top tips (makes it work)

Keep narration immediate, brief, and specific. Use objective descriptions only - no judgement words. Rotate who you mention so it does not feel like favouritism.

Common pitfalls

Waiting too long to narrate after instructions. Turning narration into praise speeches or sarcasm. Naming the same students every time. Using it instead of correction when disruption persists.

SEND/PP considerations

This repeats instructions in a positive format, which helps students who miss or process directions slowly. For students who dislike public attention, narrate group compliance rather than individuals.

Useful for these SEND needs

Why this strategy helps

  • Uses low-arousal redirection to protect dignity.
  • Repeats instructions positively to improve first-time compliance.
  • Makes successful behaviour visible without confrontation.

Universal SEND-friendly: Yes

SEND-targeted: Yes

Tags

#Attention Seeking #Noise #Off Task #Work Avoidance #Calling Out

Vulnerability

May be especially relevant for:

Vulnerability -> EAL

Sources

  • Ben Rule, Headteacher

Used in

Common Behaviour Issues (Behaviour Hub)

  • Interrupt & Redirect Chatting during teacher talk / instruction
  • Interrupt & Redirect Off-task / fiddling / low-level distraction
  • Interrupt & Redirect Work avoidance / blank page / 'I can't'
  • Interrupt & Redirect Attention seeking / clowning / minor disruption
Open common behaviour issues

Related strategies

S037 Interrupt & Redirect

Positive narration (describe success as it happens)

Pull attention towards the behaviour you want, making the ‘right way’ visible and normal.
S036 Interrupt & Redirect

Anonymous group correction (reset without naming)

Correct widespread low-level disruption without triggering a public ‘battle’ with an individual.
S040 Interrupt & Redirect

Work-support redirect (remove the ‘stuck’ barrier fast)

Turn ‘off-task’ into ‘on-task’ by quickly removing a learning barrier that’s driving behaviour.
S050 Interrupt & Redirect

Distraction removal with dignity (quietly remove the trigger)

Remove a concrete distraction without turning it into a confrontation.
S122 Interrupt & Redirect

Tactical ignoring

Reduce attention-seeking disruption by withholding attention from minor performance behaviour and reinforcing positive re-engagement.
S016 Interrupt & Redirect

Proximity and presence

Stop low-level disruption without breaking teaching flow.
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