176 pages
234 x 156mm
Due May 2012


Cost-free and educationally significant, silence is undervalued as a pedagogical tool. This groundbreaking exploration of the phenomenon of silence in schools shows how silence can be used to change school cultures to develop and enhance democratic and reflective practices and promote learning.

After brief consideration of the customary negative and coercive aspects of silence in schools, the book focuses on the constructive ways in which certain schools use silence. Case studies describe how schools have introduced meditation, quiet spaces and silent moments and analyse how these initiatives are enhancing the students’ experience and learning.

Silence in Schools is important reading for head teachers, classroom teachers, policy makers, educational researchers and parents. The conclusions drawn offer useful international applications and show how effective silence in schools can be in a variety of educational settings.