Behaviour Support Classrooms (BSC) are one element of NBSS Level 3 support that provide intensive, individualised and comprehensive interventions designed to meet the needs of a small number of students. BSCs provide support to students who may experience any number or combination of significant challenges to their learning receive valuable individual attention. Students are referred to the BSC when their behaviour significantly interferes with teaching and learning in the majority of their subject classes.

"Before I thought school was boring and stupid because I was getting into trouble a lot.  It is better now.  Not slagging classmates as much as before and treating people with greater respect."

The BSC is designed for intensive, short-term, individualised interventions for students who have not responded well to interventions and supports provided in the school at Level 1 and 2.  The fundamental aim of the Behaviour Support Classroom is reintegration into the mainstream classroom.

"It has definitely kept students in school (and not permanently suspended).  It helps to teach difficult students the skills they need to cope with mainstream teaching… The BSC teachers acted as mentors during and after their time in BSC classroom which gives these students an adult they can identify with.  In very difficult situations these BSC teachers are often the best to help diffuse difficult situations for these students."

As with all NBSS Level 3 support a Student Behaviour Plan is drawn up for each student  in the BSC that identifies the personal strengths of the student, the behaviour(s) causing concern in classes and around the school and a targeted plan of action. All Student Behaviour Plans are subject to continuous assessment and review to take account of any changes in the student’s behaviour and to measure the effectiveness of the interventions provided in helping the student to achieve his/her targets.

"Six of the seven Junior Certificate students who accessed this support passed (with flying colours) and would not have done so if they had not had this support.  The NBSS intervention allowed for a positive educational experience for the first time in these students’ lives.  Five of the seven have remained in school so retention has improved."  

Further information on the operation of the Behaviour Support Classroom is available in the following NBSS publications:

• Behaviour Support Classroom Best Practice Guidelines
• A Research Study of 36 Behaviour Support Classrooms