The aim of the research is to provide the Scottish Government with a clear and robust picture of behaviour in publicly funded schools and of current policy and practice in relation to managing behaviour. More specifically, the research will be required to provide:

— clear and robust information on the nature and extent of behaviour (both negative and positive behaviour) in publicly funded schools in Scotland in 2012,

— trend information where possible compared to the previous Behaviour in Schools Surveys in 2009 and 2006,

— an assessment including trend data of the range of behaviour management approaches that are used in schools, school staffs’ perceptions of the effectiveness of these, and staff confidence, support and training issues.