It is generally recognised that taking a whole
school approach to tackling bullying is the best way to reduce
incidents and promote an environment where bullying is not
acceptable. Prof Dan Olweus
continues to be a strong advocate for the whole school approach as
described in his book 'Bullying at School: What we know and what we
can do' (1993). The Olweus intervention programme includes
the following actions:
School Level
- Pupil perception survey
- School conference day on
bullying
- Better supervision at play
times
- More attractive school
environment/playground
- Contact telephone
- Opportunity for parents to
meet staff
- Teacher groups for
anti-bullying, pro-social work in school
- Parent circles
Class Level
- Class rules, praise and
sanctions
- Regular class meetings
- Role playing, literature,
arts
- Cooperative Learning
- Common positive class
activities
- Class meeting teacher –
parents/children
Individual Level
- Serious talks with all
children involved
- Serious talks with all
parents involved
- Teacher and parent use of
imagination
- Help from ‘neutral’
students
- Help and support for
parents
- Discussion groups for
parents of all children involved
- Change of class or school
The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund
(UNICEF) ‘Rights Respecting Schools’ award is another popular
approach to ensuring positive relationships in the school
community, teaching and demonstrating ‘a rights-respecting guide to
living’. It is built on the principle that the quality of
school life will improve if children and young people learn what
their rights and responsibilities are and how to put these into
action.
For more information, visit www.unicef.org.uk/rrsa.