The emotional impact of difficult and challenging behaviour in schools has never made it easy for professionals to respond in a calm and considered manner. This applies equally to teachers, senior staff in schools, support services and administrators. Yet the pressure to respond effectively continues to grow. Challenging Behaviour in Schools describes effective practical approaches which have been developed by schools and support services. It acknowledges that, in dealing with difficult behaviour, it is necessary not only to consider techniques but also the support processes that accompany them. The editors have each had extensive professional experience in this field, and are the organisers of the annual New Directions in Behaviour Support' courses at Nottingham which have encouraged and disseminated new practice over recent years. All the contributors have been associated with these courses and their accounts will be of direct value to senior staff, special needs coordinators and governors in schools, educational psychologists, support teachers and those involved in policy and planning.
Peter Gray is Principal Educational Psychologist for Nottinghamshire, and is the editor ofthe journal Educational and Child Psychology . Andy Miller is Course Director inEducational Psychology at the University of Nottingham. Jim Noakes is Headteacher of theNorthern Area Education Support Service, Warwickshire. All three editors have beenclassroom teachers, covering between them both primary and secondary mainstream schools and special schools for pupils with moderate learningdifficulties and emotional and behavioural difficulties.