Pipeline Framework: Evaluation of the Behaviour Hubs Programme

A pipeline has been launched for Evaluation of the Behaviour Hubs Programme. The contract start Date is 1 February 2021. Approach to market date is 7 October 2020.The purpose of this Prior Information Notice is to notify bidders of our intention to tender for the evaluation of the behaviour hubs programme.This notice is for information only and is not a call for competition.The Department reserves the right not to enter a formal procurement process and not proceed with contract award. Accordingly, the Dept. will not be liable for any bid cost, expenditure, work or effort incurred by any organisation in acting on the basis of this PIN.All information included in this notice is indicative and subject to change.Background:Good behaviour in schools is crucial if children are to learn and reach their full potential. As well as delivering excellent teaching, schools must create positive environments where pupils are respectful of one another and are free from low-level disruption that stops them from learning. Schools also need to be safe and respectful workplaces to attract and retain teachers. However, the national picture of behaviour in schools is complex and behaviour remains a significant challenge for many schools. Schools vary enormously in intake and context and their challenges are similarly varied but evidence suggests behaviour can be improved. The government made a commitment to invest £10m in the behaviour hubs programme to improve behaviour in schools by supporting schools to share good practice and knowledge on behaviour management.The behaviour hubs (BH) programme*SEE LINK* will launch in Spring 2021 and run for an initial period of three years. The strategic aims of the programme are to improve the behaviour culture and practices of schools involved and reduce incidents of challenging behaviour and low-level classroom disruption. BH will enable exemplary schools (‘lead schools’) to work closely with schools that need and want to turn around their behaviour culture and practices (‘partner schools’). The programme is centred around equipping senior leaders (school headteachers, deputy heads and executive teams at Multi-Academy Trusts) to improve their whole school approach to behaviour management through access to facilitated peer-training and resources.The programme will be based on the principles and ideas outlined in Tom Bennett’s 2017 review of behaviour in schools, Creating a Culture: how school leaders can optimise behaviour*SEE LINK*. This review identified the core principles of successful schools, which include:having a clear understanding of what the school culture ishigh expectations of pupils and a belief that all pupils matterconsistency and attention to detail in the execution of school routines, norms and values.Partner schools/MATs will receive bespoke one-to-one mentoring and action planning support from lead schools/MATs as well as access to behaviour adviser-led training events, school open days, hub networking events and online good practice resources and training.See ‘Attachments’ for key elements of BH, & ‘Additional Text’ for further info.This is a potential opportunity from the government, and the pipeline gives advance notice of an opportunity that might be offered by the public sector in the future – allowing potential suppliers to plan accordingly. When a public sector organisation publishes a pipeline notice, it does not necessarily mean that an opportunity will be offered in the future.For more information contact: Department for Education, St Paul’s Place, 125 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 2FJ. Email: Research.BAEA@education.gov.uk (BAEA (Behaviour, Attendance, Exclusions & Alternative Provision) Research Team)