Regulating the Room
What is it?
A six-week package of training and support for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) students and Early Career Teachers (ECTs) focused on regulation, wellbeing for both teachers and their classes, and supporting challenging behaviours in the classroom.
This programme uses polyvagal theory and the escalation curve reimagined as a nervous system journey to help teachers track, understand, and influence their own regulation and that of their students. Supporting the journey with strategies and advice.
The package will also support in early identification of SEND within the classroom, using the graduated response process of assess/plan/do/review, from the SEND Code of Practice, which is a core element with the package
What’s Included?
- Week 1 (1.5 hours):
Introduction to nervous system regulation, the escalation curve, and daily tracking tools inspired by polyvagal theory.
Staff explore their own regulation patterns and identify potential triggers. - Weeks 2–5 (45 min per week):
- Guided reflection on self-monitoring
- Data analysis and pattern spotting
- Developing personal regulation strategies
- Planning classroom adjustments and supports
- Preparing to apply the same approach with children
- Identifying emerging SEND needs that can be underlying CYPs dysregulation (Cognition and Learning, Communication and Interaction, Social and Emotional and Mental Health and Sensory and Physical)
- Week 6 (1.5 hours):
- Review and reflect: what worked, what still needs support
- Next steps
- Optional moderated WhatsApp group for in-between support and Q&A
Why This Matters
This programme helps new teachers to:
- Understand their own regulation and how it affects behaviour management
- Build sustainable emotional resilience and classroom presence
- Track and respond to signs of dysregulation in themselves and their pupils
- Develop a graduated response to pupil needs
- Identify early indicators of SEND needs in a practical and supportive way