Building Behaviour Leadership
Meet Keith. An experienced educator specialising in behaviour management, senior leadership, and inclusion.
As an Associate with Adele Bates, we’ve co-authored a book for school leaders on behaviour culture. It is currently in production and will be out at the end of 2026!
Recent Work
I am now a a PRICE Instructor!
I spent a week in August being trained in this fantastic programme for behaviour support and the use of physical intervention. I am now able to deliver training in this crucial area for both PRICE and Norfolk Steps
INSET Day 2nd September
I had a genuinely fantastic day with Chapel Green complex needs school in Norfolk. This was focussed on exploring approaches to working with the members of their cohort who present a higher level of SEMH needs than most.
Complex needs schools have an increasing range of needs and SEMH needs can often be some of the most challenging in that context.
The staff were super engaged all day as we looked at how the approaches around language, physicality and palnning can all be altered for these children. The energy and positivity in the room was palpable. Evewn if my face doesn’t show it as I was listening intently!
Media Appearances
Two surprises over the summer. I was asked to take part in a panel debate on Teachers Talk Radio also to contribute to a report on BBC Radio Cornwall. Both appearances were linked to the story about the Athena Schools Trust in Cornwall that grabbed a lot of headlines.
I tried in both to bring a bit of balance to a polarising debate about the way behaviour and inclusion should be managed in our secondary schools. As always I tried to emphasise that high expectations, consistency and systems to support staff are not incompatible with relational and restorative ways of working. Blaming each other is not helping.
“Any time spent listening to Keith Bates talk about behaviour is time well spent”
Helen Plowman – Primary Headteacher
My Services
Consulting
I offer bespoke consultancy services for primary, secondary, post-16, and special education settings. I support multi-academy trusts and local authorities with various issues, including individual or group observations, classroom management, whole school policy, and leadership of culture and ethos. My expertise is in behaviour and SEMH needs, with extensive knowledge of SEN/ALN, including restrictive physical intervention, placement, and the Code of Practice. I also assist schools with conflict resolution involving parents and families.
Training
I design and deliver tailored training in behaviour and SEMH, covering topics such as understanding behaviour, effective behaviour management, communication, emotional load management, and handling difficult conversations with families. I customize training for specific settings and audiences, including senior leaders, teachers, support staff, and non-teaching staff, and have experience delivering these sessions across multiple schools.
Speaking
I offer speaking engagements on various topics related to behaviour and SEMH, similar to those covered in my training sessions. I have presented at Headteacher and inclusion conferences, regional SEN/ALN conferences, and to over 400 SENCos. My talks are customized to meet your needs, ensuring they are engaging, challenging, and informative. I provide bespoke, responsive services, working with you to design the necessary activities and approaches to address your specific issues. The support packages are tailored to your requirements.
“Keith has been able to give me the confidence to utilise and share these skills to the best of my ability with my team.”
Ella Barnes
“Keith has proven to be an invaluable asset and a positive influence on the lives of many children and young people.”
Josie Wells
“Keith’s ongoing work has had a significant impact on the culture and knowledge of staff at the schools.”
Drew Howard
Contact Us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!