Learner behaviour in Further Education Colleges: government response

The (then) Minister for Education and the Welsh Language requested Estyn for advice on learner behaviour in further education colleges in the annual remit letter to Estyn for 2024 to 2025. 

This was intended to complement a request for advice on learner behaviour in schools. The review was intended to find examples of both positive and negative learner behaviour, and how colleges respond.

The report focuses on the factors that influence positive and negative behaviours, as well as the variations in behaviour across different learner groups and learning programmes. The report considers how colleges promote positive behaviours and manage negative behaviours, alongside the support and guidance available to both learners and staff. It highlights ongoing challenges such as the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the rise in social media misuse and vaping.

Recommendations for Further Education (FE) colleges

Recommendation 1

Collaborate to ensure that those with less well-developed behaviour management approaches can learn from those with more well-established systems and processes, enabling them to improve and refine their own practices.

Recommendation 2

Ensure that there is clear guidance available to learners about the responsible use of social media and implement targeted strategies to manage social media misuse through teaching and learning, and behaviour management processes.

Recommendation 3

Identify staff who may be experiencing increased stress and establish additional support systems, to address their wellbeing, particularly for those typically working with more disruptive learners.

Recommendation 4

Increase awareness among learners and staff about the availability of specialist behavioural support teams and services, ensuring clear communication channels and visible signposting throughout the college environment.

Recommendation 5

Further develop tailored, inclusive support for learners who feel more vulnerable as a result of their protected characteristics, ensuring that behavioural support systems meet their unique needs.

Welsh Government response

Recommendations 1 to 5 are for further education colleges, and the Welsh Government agrees with their content. We have asked Medr, the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research, to work with FE colleges to support the implementation of these recommendations.

Recommendation for the Welsh Government

Recommendation 6

Lead on developing a unified national strategy to address vaping in educational settings, working collaboratively with colleges to implement clear policies, consistent enforcement, and education campaigns on health risks.

Welsh Government response

The Welsh Government takes the problem of vaping among learners very seriously. This aligns with the Cabinet Secretary for Education’s wider programme to address problems of learner behaviour in both schools and FE colleges, which includes upcoming behaviour summit and roundtable events. We commit to working with colleagues in Health, Public Health Wales, and with Medr and FE colleges to consider guidance and educational campaigns.

Recommendation for Medr

Recommendation 7

Consider how FE funding methodologies can enable secure long-term funding for FE colleges to maintain effective behavioural management systems and support the retention of skilled staff.

Welsh Government response

This recommendation is for Medr, and the Welsh Government agrees with its content. We will work with Medr to support their long-term planning in this area.

The full report can be accessed on Estyn’s website, and was published on 1 May 2025.