School Bullying Vodcast Two: Addressing bullying in schools Dr Ken Rigby Consultant Developed for

Two aspects of the problem Universal preventive: what is needed to reduce the likelihood of bullying Focussed interventive: what needs to be done when cases arise Actively addressing bullying Developed for

1. All students need to know how they are expected to behave and what are relevant school ‘rules’ 2. There needs to be good surveillance Basic requirements Developed for

Reducing bullying indirectly through the way you teach 1.Establishing an orderly classroom ethos in which students can focus on their tasks of learning 2.Engaging student interest – avoiding long stretches of boredom 3.Displaying a caring attitude towards each individual student 4.Where feasible, promoting cooperative learning 5.Enabling students to share their concerns and establish good relationships with others - for example through ‘circle time’ Developed for

1. Teach about bullying – its nature, its prevalence, its injustice, its harmfulness 2. Advise on how students can respond when they are bullied (Use of the hand diagram) 3. Address issues of discrimination and prejudice, eg., homophobia, racism, sexism 4. Help students to become more socially skilled, more assertive and psychologically resilient 5. Encourage students to help those in need, eg through peer support and better bystander behaviour Reduce bullying by focussing directly upon bullying as an issue in class Developed for

The relevance of bystander behaviour Bystanders are usually present when bullying occurs Typically they stand by and watch When a bystander actually expresses disapproval of the bullying, on about half the occasions, the bullying stops Question: How can bystanders be motivated to act – and to act effectively to discourage the bullying? Developed for

Promoting better bystander behaviour 1.Give students the opportunity to consider what THEY would do as bystanders 2.This could be done by describing bullying situations with bystanders present – or using the following picture, as in the questionnaire provided Developed for

Bullying in the presence of bystanders Developed for

Questions you might ask of students 1.Ask them to indicate what they would do and write down WHY they would act that way 2.Subsequently share the reasons that were given with the class (see the article on ‘Schoolyard Heroes’) 3.Discuss ways in which bullying can be discouraged by bystanders without taking unacceptable risks Developed for

What work have you undertaken to educate and skill students in your class to reduce the likelihood of school bullying? What more would you consider introducing in your work with students that could be helpful in countering bullying? How, in particular, can better bystander behaviour be encouraged, without putting students at risk? Suggested discussion questions Developed for