RESEARCH by the Government has found teaching fair play and good manners is more effective than firm discipline in improving pupils' behaviour.

The study, published last week, looked at 250 primary schools involved in a pilot aimed at curbing unruly behaviour.

The team from London University's Institute of Education, which carried out the research, found encouraging good manners was successful in reducing poor behaviour and improving attendance.

It also revealed the approach led to improved performance in national curriculum English and maths tests for 11-year-olds.

Teachers piloting the scheme were asked to focus on improving behaviour in all subjects.

For example, in PE lessons, children were taught about the concept of fair play, how to work in teams and to be a good winner or loser.

In one local education authority, 90 per cent of schools reported a reduction in exclusions and 80 per cent improved attendance.

In another, one school recorded a drop in the number of serious playground incidents from 15 to none in the first year of the scheme.