How To Deal With Classroom Conflict Within a Secondary School
08 Jan, 20251-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- Common reasons for conflict in secondary school.
- Why it is important to deal with classroom conflict.
- What to do if the conflict leaves the classroom.
- Where the latest teaching jobs are and how to apply for them.
Classroom conflict is a natural part of secondary school and can be driven by students navigating social pressures, personal growth, and the added stress of choosing their GCSE subjects and revising during exam periods.
Conflict in the classroom can be anything from personality clashes and differing opinions, to name calling and bullying. Teachers and Teaching Assistants are responsible for nurturing a culture that stands against bullying and aims to prevent conflict in the classroom.
It is essential for Teachers to have effective conflict resolution strategies in place to address and resolve issues in the classroom that could escalate and affect students' learning and wellbeing.
In this blog, we explore the common reasons for conflict in secondary schools and why it’s important for Teachers to have effective conflict resolution strategies in place to address issues in the classroom.
Common reasons for classroom conflict in secondary schools
Common reasons for classroom conflict in secondary schools:
- Hormones.
- Diverse backgrounds.
- Misunderstandings.
- Rivalry.
- Bullying.
Hormones
At secondary school, students experience physical and emotional changes brought on by puberty and increased hormones. Hormonal surges and maturation linked to pubertal development in adolescence are believed to impact multiple aspects of brain development, social cognition, and peer relations. All of these can indirectly impact mood and emotions which can cause stress as well as conflict or tension in the classroom.
Puberty affects everyone differently and at different ages, which can influence behaviour and increase awareness of social pressures to fit in. In a classroom of diverse young individuals with varying opinions and emotions, disagreements and conflicts are inevitable. A student's feelings are much more intense as a result of puberty which can make them more aggressive, sad or irritable as well as more likely to argue.
Diverse backgrounds
Conflict can occur in the classroom when two or more pupils interact with each other and perceive incompatible differences because of diverse backgrounds or differing opinions. This can be as a result of cultural differences including religion and race, as well as differences in upbringing and experiences.
Students from diverse cultural backgrounds express themselves and communicate in different ways and may question or challenge peers with different perspectives or behaviours. Often, this behavior is not intended to create conflict but rather reflects their natural communication style and cultural norms.
Differences in attitudes, personalities, or interests can affect students' ability to connect, leading to clashes or disagreements. Factors such as class, wealth, and background also influence relationships and dynamics within the classroom, which can create conflict and tension between students.
Misunderstandings
Teachers are expected to create a safe, calm and welcoming classroom for their students to thrive, but sometimes, accidents and misunderstandings result in conflicts. Students may misinterpret each other's actions or intentions due to a lack of communication or a miscommunication of intentions which can cause disagreements or conflict.
Differences in communication styles or poor communication networks can lead to conflicts among students. Non-verbal communication, such as body language, choice of words and tone of voice can be misinterpreted or misunderstood which can result in conflict between students. It’s important to understand different ways to communicate information and intentions to prevent misunderstanding amongst others and minimise conflict.
Rivalry
When students are asked to work in teams or others are recognised for their achievements, this can cause a rift or result in rivalries and conflict. Groups of students or individuals may be inclined to compare themselves to other students for various reasons including money, class or social status.
Rivalry can stem from jealousy of another person and their success, or feeling inferior due to academic challenges, education levels and achievements.
Students may feel their resources, needs, or values are threatened by other students and compete for possessions, romantic relationships or attention. They can also experience conflicts related to friendships, relationships and strained or failed relationships.
Bullying
Bullying often arises from unresolved conflicts and can be motivated by many things including cultural differences, misunderstandings and behaviour. According to research by the Department for Education looking at pupils in year 10, 40% were bullied in the last 12 months and 6% had experienced bullying daily.
Technology and social media provides more opportunities for bullying outside of school which can lead to conflict in the classroom and impact a students ability to learn and develop academically, socially and emotionally.
Conflict within the classroom can lead to bullying or resentment, making students wary or suspicious of being accepted by their peers. This may also hinder their ability to develop friendships and adjust to school. When young people are bullied they may isolate themselves, withdraw or lash out unexpectedly causing even more conflict in the classroom.
Online and social media presents even more opportunities for cyber bullying, harassment and conflict which can carry over into the classroom and disrupt learning.
Why is it important to deal with classroom conflict?
It’s important that Teachers do what they can to help minimise any conflict in the classroom and stop it from escalating or getting worse. Simple misunderstandings and conflict can easily get out of hand and lead to upsetting or harmful outcomes for students.
Conflict has consequences and from a school’s perspective, it can have a significant impact on a pupils learning, mental health and wellbeing. Bullying and worrying about conflict can cause stress and negatively impact students' mental health which may develop into mental health problems like depression and anxiety. This can result in poor development and problems adjusting to and attending school.
Students may find it difficult to resolve a conflict without the support of school staff. Schools can manage conflict in the classroom and spot bullying by providing students with tools to halt or at least minimise the conflict. This can ensure students feel safe, motivated and focused at school and have every opportunity to develop.
What to do if the conflict leaves the classroom
If conflict leaves the classroom it is important for Teachers to inform parents and other members of staff - including the Headteacher - to ensure they are aware of the situation. School staff are expected to assist where possible and to intervene by revisiting what caused the initial conflict if it hasn’t already been identified.
Any conflict or escalation in the situation should be addressed in the same way that standard bullying policies are implemented such as with disciplinary action or grievance. All school staff should be aware of any conflict between students so they can remain vigilant and prevent or mediate any outcomes.
According to Ofcom, 99% of children spend time online and 90% of teens have access to a smartphone which means that conflict and even bullying can continue to escalate when the school day is over which can negatively impact students' mental health and wellbeing.
Teaching jobs
If you’re searching for your next teaching job, why not take a look at the latest teaching vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Recruit teaching staff
As a specialist education recruitment agency, we support mainstream and SEND schools with their temporary, permanent and temp-perm staffing needs.
We currently work with hundreds of schools and have exclusive access to some of the best Teachers and Teaching Assistants in the North West.
If you’re struggling to fill a teaching vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?
- Primary schools - Jimmy Callagher
- Secondary schools - Liam Jones
- SEND schools - Jamie Heath
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re a vibrant and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West.
We continually reimagine the recruitment process to challenge convention and defy expectations; from creating a better recruitment experience to remodelling employee engagement, we thrive off doing things differently and turning heads along the way.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
Corporate Functions & Business Support
Related Posts
What Is an Executive Headteacher?
08 Jan, 2025
How To Support LGBTQ+ Students in the Classroom
07 Jan, 2025
