Classical music in school detentions deters unruly pupils
Last updated 20/01/2010 09:42:28
Classical music in school detentions deters unruly pupils
Classical music can be an effective deterrent against unruly behaviour, a school head teacher has revealed.
Brian Walker, head of West Park School in Derby, says his after school detentions in which students are forced to listen to Elgar, Mozart, Verdi and Bach keeps pupils in check.
Misbehaving students also have to watch an educational television show during the sessions on Fridays – and the ploy seems to be working. There's an average weekly attendance at of just 20 at the two hour sessions out of a total of 1,320 pupils.
Mr Walker says his detentions serve as a positive reminder that an education is something to value and target those who interfere with lessons.
"It's those who have slowed the learning process in class for everyone and I won't have that," he explained. "It is robbing the rest of opportunities. It helps them see they are part of something bigger that will enhance their life chances if they become a net contributor, rather than detracting from it."
Read also >> Newly discovered Mozart pieces are premiered in Austria