Jogo Behaviour Support Conference 2024 - Flipbook - Page 4
Keynote Speakers
Dave Whitaker
The Kindness
Principle Developing
relational culture
in schools and
the power of
Unconditional
Positive
Regard.
During this keynote session, Dave will
explore the importance of a schools ‘cultural
position and how important this is in relation
to understanding children’s behaviour.
Taking a relational approach to ‘behaviour
management’ is not a soft option and
never a trade-off against high expectations
and standards. What lies behind children’s
behaviour are emotions and feelings. This
session will help colleagues understand
why relational practice is so important, why
vulnerable children need love and kindness
even if this is often the most difficult option.
Exclusion is easy - kindness can be difficult.
Everyone can contribute to a school’s culture
and the influence this has on children’s lives
can never be underestimated.
Biography
Dave is the Director of Learning for the
Wellspring Academy Trust. As a former
Executive Principal of SEMH Special and
Alternative Provision academies, he now
works regionally supporting all 31 schools in
the Trust.
As well as Executive Headship, Dave spent ten
years as a National Leader of Education and
teaching school head. He now leads Positive
Regard - the Trust’s behaviour training and
outreach team. Dave works nationally,
supporting schools with behaviour training,
drawing on years of experience working with
the most complex and vulnerable of children.
Based on an ethos of ‘unconditional positive
regard’, Dave believes schools should use
relational practice to make them safe and
caring places to learn.
Dave has recently been a member of the
DFE’s Timpson Exclusions Review expert
reference group, a founder member of the
HeadTeachers’ Roundtable think tank and a
trustee of The Difference. He has also given
evidence on alternative provisions to the
government’s Education Select Committee.
He is a regular conference speaker and an
active campaigner for educational change.
His recently published book, The Kindness
Principle, offers advice, guidance and
expertise on making relational practice work
in schools. He is an associate of Independent
Thinking Ltd.