RELATIONSHIPS are key in busy modern schools in the same way as they are important in every walk of life.

When looking for a school for your child, you should try to judge the extent to which good relationships exist both between the pupils and between pupils and staff.

If teachers do not establish positive and respectful relationships with pupils, then how will they ever teach them effectively?

So what do we mean by positive and respectful teacher-pupil relationships?

First and foremost, clear professional boundaries are key.

An overly familiar relationship is rarely constructive.

Teachers are teachers and pupils are pupils and the line must be abundantly clear to the pupils.

But teachers must be such that they are approachable and although the line is very clear, the pupils should not feel inhibited when it comes to seeking help from the teacher.

Pupils should be known well by their teachers and it goes without saying known by name.

It may seem strange me saying this, it may appear to be just a given, but it is no easy task getting to know every pupil you teach in a secondary school, although the class teacher system in primary schools makes this process much quicker.

First names only, gone are the days of using surnames only which are very much counter to forming good relationships and would be considered disrespectful in modern schools.

Teachers should know the pupils’ educational needs and, where applicable, any special educational needs or additional learning needs.

They should certainly know if English is their first language or is an additional language. They should know their medical needs, especially for serious conditions such as asthma and allergies where a timely response to an incident is of utmost importance.

Effective teachers will know more than this about pupils, they will get to know the pupils’ hobbies, passions and aspirations.

It doesn’t take much to do this, just taking the time to have short conversations early on in the academic year and having a respectful approach to dealing with pupils.

Effective teachers also give a little of themselves back to the pupils: perhaps sharing experiences or what they find inspiring and rewarding.

The best teachers will also be immersed in extra-curricular activities so that they get to know their pupils whilst participating in sport or out-door activities.

Sport, it can be argued, is the bedrock of good relationships in life. Whatever profession or job you do, many people use sport as a way of communicating.

Whether it is cricket, netball or football, we all seem to have an opinion on sport.

An ability to communicate this opinion with others certainly goes some way to breaking down social barriers.

Care, integrity, warmth, humanity and dedication are all qualities which you should look for in teachers.

By having teachers who have these effective "soft skills", children often develop these skills by osmosis which will enable the pupils to become effective in their careers where relationships will almost certainly be key.