Head’s Blog: Should schools have silent corridors?

Some secondary schools insist that students move in silence between lessons during the school day. I understand why headteachers might make this decision, but it is not a strategy that I would want to employ.

I do not believe that it is the job of schools to control childrens’ behaviour to this extent. Silent corridors work on the assumption that children will automatically be unkind and unruly if they are allowed to speak during lesson changeover. This is not my experience. It is also no preparation for the real world. Where else would a large number of humans in the same place be expected to move from A to B in absolute silence?

Corridor conduct

However, conduct around school is very important. We make clear our expectations to students regarding moving between classrooms and prioritise teaching respect. Last week was Respect Week (more details to follow) and it remains an ongoing priority to instil in all students an instinct to show respect to others in all situations. Sadly this has been lost in much of society. As a school we believe that we can change society rather than be changed by it.

Fire and lockdown drills

There are times when silence across the school is essential. During fire drills and lockdown drills we make no apology for insisting that all students are silent throughout. We had a first practice of a lockdown drill last week and the students’ response was excellent. Naturally we hope that we never need to respond to an emergency, but it is reassuring to know that students respond so well to the drills.

Mr Tim Spencer, Headteacher