I will move sensibly around school and not put others in danger. Most of behave beautifully all of the time, you are a credit to the school. However, there is a small percentage of students who use break-time, lunch-time and moving between lessons as a time to not live up to the values which we pride ourselves by at All Saints’

Ground Rules What ground rules do we need today to discuss issues about respect and how we should treat each other? Get the class to come up with the rules. It is far more effective if they negotiate these and they are more likely to abide by them if they have had a say. Today won’t work unless they do listen and show respect to each other. If they are struggling, these are what you should be aiming for and when they have given their ideas, please make sure these or the equivalent are included. Write up the agreed rules on the board where they should stay for the day. Listen to all opinions Agree to disagree politely Only one person to talk at once in a whole class discussion No-one to say anything to put anyone else down. No personal comments or naming of anyone in discussions

How do people treat each other in our school? Introduce a discussion on how people are treated in school, in lessons, in corridors, in breaks and lunches. Try to come up with a range of things both positive and negative. If they can’t see any negatives, introduce idea of teasing. Discuss in pairs, then share and discuss as a class. If they get noisy or talk over each other, remind them of the negotiated rules that are up on the board. Today won’t work unless they do listen and show respect to each other.

What is teasing and when is it not ok? Ask them for examples of teasing they have heard or experienced. What do they think about this? Get them to think about what teasing involves, whether it is just a bit of fun, whether it is harmful, what it might lead to Discuss what words are used (e.g. swot, loner, gay, etc)

How does it make people feel?

In what other ways are people unkind? Ask the class for ideas about how else people can be unkind - there is a trend for pushing and barging at the moment – hopefully someone in the class will mention this – if not – raise it. Listen to any other ideas. If the class is reluctant to discuss, then again, in pairs first then report back. Discuss why this sort of behaviour can become a problem. (e.g. intimidating, down right dangerous etc). See if they can come up with or steer discussion to talk about the fact that for many people this is just a bit of fun but for others, very hurtful.

Do we have a culture of putting people down Even in fun? Discuss this question either in pairs and/or as a class. What do they think? (if they don’t think there is a problem, then bring them round to the idea that actually, there is a problem!) Discuss why it is not funny to put others down Discuss why people do it Discuss why it is acceptable Discuss how it could affect our future e.g. people not wanting to try too hard so they don’t stand out from the crowd and get teased. Discuss what could we do about it

How do you respond? Discuss the ways you can respond if you are the victim or the observer Discuss the three words, passive, aggressive and assertive. Ask if they know what they mean: Passive – you don’t respond, you allow someone to do what they want even if you disagree Aggressive – you respond in a way that is going to escalate the problem – you confront the problem in such as way as to cause an argument or a fight Assertive – you take charge of the situation in a calm but authoritative way. You get what you want, on your terms but in a way that does not cause conflict. Get the class to realise that assertive is the right response – stand up for themselves, maybe walking away, ignoring could be assertive. They do what they know is right without causing conflict

What should the victim do? Discuss ideas of how a victim can respond. Try to get them to see that the victim needs to take some ownership of the situation and stand up for themselves. So many bullies give up when they don’t get a reaction. Possibilities: walk away, tell a friend, tell a teacher, tell an older pupil, be honest, tell them that you don’t like what they are saying/doing

What should the observer do? Get the class to realise that the observer should not be passive. By being passive and not helping, they are just as bad as the bully. We need to develop a culture of intolerance to teasing and negativity. Discuss practical ways they could help e.g. Stand up for the victim verbally Take them away from the situation Go with them to seek help Speak out against what is happening Be proud to stand up for what is right and good and positive

Activities Create a Positive Behaviour Poster Create a Code of Conduct Poster Create a School Sanctions Poster Write a short story about someone who was teased and who did something about it Write a poem to show what it feels like to be teased Write a more detailed role play/script that could be acted out in schools to show the effect of unkind behaviour All work will be displayed around the school. They can complete the work in their own time.