Pupils’ perceptions in high and low delinquency schools

Abstract

Summary From records of court appearances, delinquency rates were allocated to boys’ Secondary Modern Schools in a northern city. Using census data, their catchment areas were compared, and two pairs of schools, each having similar catchments but different delinquency rates, were selected. A role description instrument was administered to all fourth‐year pupils, and comparison of their perceptions of their schools made, using analysis of variance. Though the scale of the study was small, it produced consistent relationships between the delinquency rate of a school and the perceived behaviour of its teachers and pupils. The findings are discussed in the context of parental choice of school, and questions are raised concerning the tasks and activities offered to the pupils and the nature of teacher/pupil relationships within the schools.