What we walk past becomes what we accept

Every teacher knows the moment. You’re mid-explanation, and a student is half-listening. Fiddling with a pen. Looking out the window. Quietly switching off. Easy to ignore. But it matters.

Because when students aren’t fully focused, they’re not fully learning. It’s that simple.

In our CST schools, we use SLANT: Sit up straight, Listen attentively, Ask and answer, Never interrupt, Track the speaker. It’s not a magic trick. It just gets us attention quickly, calmly and reliably. But it doesn’t have to be SLANT. Call it what you like. What matters is that every classroom has a clear routine that demands undivided attention.

The cue itself isn’t sacred. The attention is.

When we let things slide, we’re not just lowering expectations in the moment. We’re signalling to the whole class that it’s okay to opt out. That’s not what we stand for.

Attention should be the default. It should be the minimum. And holding that line is not about being harsh. It’s about believing that every child has the right to learn without distraction.

Culture is built in the small moments. The quiet seconds where we choose to act or not. Let’s get those right.