ANTI-BULLYING
Teacher Rachel
Pattisson says
that pupils can
often be the
best placed to help
combat bullying
‘
’LL GET them!” Already the fists are swinging
I
into action. “I’ll sort them out!”
Suzanne is a formidable prospect. She
towers above teachers and fills doorways.
She is a girl who will never need a loud-
hailer. I am on an anti-bullying campaign and
Supportive
Suzanne is helping me with my enquiries.
My enquiries have to be subtle. Bullying is a covert
operation with victims often being as secretive as the
bullies. I’m worried about Helen. Helen is new and
shy. Her peers make a point of ignoring her. Malicious
whispers and ostracism are as hurtful as punches, but
more difficult for an outsider to detect. Bullying can be
as imperceptible as a thing left unsaid.
friends
As a teacher, I am not the ideal detective. Surreptitious
mingling has never been my strong point. Somehow, I
can’t seem to master the art of being inconspicuous.
Bullies miraculously become the epitome of innocence
as I approach. I was sceptical about Suzanne’s involvement at first. can make a lonely person feel less isolated. These small Suzanne dominates the corridor. When she says,
I can only offer temporary protection for victims Her booming voice and swinging fists weren’t quite the gestures of friendship are designed to establish trust. “hey!” the building shakes and Helen is startled. I
by being an authority figure in their midst. I can’t be in subtle approach I had envisaged. I wondered if she had They are a basis for future conversations and support. observe from an inconspicuous distance. Helen turns
everyone’s midst all of the time. misunderstood what I meant when I said we were going School need not be such a hostile environment. around slowly to take in the full height and breadth of
This is where Suzanne comes in. She is not to “tackle” bullying. Supportive Friends are not counsellors. They are not Suzanne. There is a strangely quiet moment as Suzanne
omnipresent but she is obvious. Also, she is not alone. Using Suzanne to scare away bullies was never the expected to solve problems or offer solutions. Instead, actually manages to say something that I cannot
Suzanne is a “Supportive Friend” – one of many pupils intention. It occurred to me that she might scare away Val’s training equipped the volunteers to be good overhear. Helen’s expression changes from perplexed
who have been trained to combat bullying. some of the meeker pupils too. I could imagine Helen listeners. Often, talking to someone can help to make to pleased. Suzanne gives a satisfied nod.
There is so much that teachers do not see. Pupils are fleeing from Suzanne’s friendly intentions. Still, I’m a problem seem smaller. There are other simple things As Helen walks away, Suzanne turns directly to
more likely to know which of their peers is struggling. not one to turn away an enthusiastic volunteer. that can raise the spirits. Chocolate was mentioned, where I am surreptitiously mingling. She gives a
Pupils are also better placed than teachers to do The pupils who suffer most in school may be along with healthier options such as exercise or music. triumphant grin. I glance around casually. Perhaps she’s
something about it. It makes sense to have a pupil-led those who are lonely. They feel left out and powerless Supportive Friends don’t give out prescriptions for not really grinning at me.
anti-bullying group. to do anything about it. It can be difficult to make calorific snacks, but they can encourage their peers to “It’s going well, miss!” she calls. So much for being
The idea of Supportive Friends was developed by friends. The misery of being alone may be compounded take some action. inconspicuous. SecEd
consultant educational psychologist Val Besag. She spent by other problems, such as difficulties at home. A Surprisingly, Suzanne turns out to be perfect for
a day sharing her expertise with us. Supportive Friends person without friends might have trouble finding the the role. It’s amazing how her boisterous greetings can • Rachel Pattisson is a teacher in Newcastle upon Tyne.
are not an army whose purpose is to confront and defeat resilience to cope. cause a smile. Suzanne is confident and popular. She Contact her at www.thoughttrains.co.uk or read her
bullies. They are an amicable team providing a buddy Supportive Friends address this issue sensitively and is also as subtle as a ring-tone in assembly. A cheerful blog at http://misssmemoirs.blogspot.com. For further
service for their peers. It is a different and surprisingly directly. They know that something as simple as a smile “hello” from Suzanne is a public acknowledgement that information about the Supportive Friends scheme,
powerful solution to the problem of bullying. in the corridor or a quiet “alright?” in the dining hall you are not alone. contact valbesag@valbesag.co.uk
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I MUST be getting really old, or perhaps just results – I am sure we have all experienced weaker
iMERGE Digital Signage
over-worked and over-tired, because I have only just cohorts from time to time and this does not mean
woken up to the fact that we have said goodbye to that previously successful teachers have suddenly
the “noughties”. become failures.
For some reason, the noughties themselves do not The government recently announced some
seem to have had a major impact on me. Not only do relaxation of the stranglehold which the new
Where no news
we have a new year and a new decade, but we may Independent Safeguarding Authority was to have
well be about to have a “regime change” of some had on all activities involving children or vulnerable
sort. Who knows who may be running British adults. Now it is only nine million who
education by the end of this year? have to be registered, not the original
It got me thinking. If I were to be given 11 million.
is...just dull
charge of the education system what The database is specifically
would I do? First of all, I would remove intended to capture rumour and
education entirely from the hands of innuendo and to allow it to remain
politicians. The idea of a cross-party “on file”, and whether one will
education commission has long been have a right to scrutinise these
discussed and it is certainly time that data and to dispute their veracity
• Communicate with
education ceased to be a “political is unclear. What is clear is that the
staff and students
football”. old adage “innocent until proven
Then I would ensure that no new guilty” no longer prevails.
• Celebrate school
ideas, innovative projects, or regulatory What would I wish for the pupils
achievements
changes were introduced without having themselves? They deserve to have
• Share examples of
been thoroughly considered and discussed, access to the best of everything and
and preferably piloted without any children to be educated in an atmosphere of
students work
being damaged in the process. purposeful co-operation, rather than
• Welcome parents
Too often, ill-conceived and half- competition.
baked schemes are introduced and made As we know, our young people
and visitors
compulsory without proper trials and are some of the most depressed in
• Publicise
no-one seems to think about the pupils, the world. When one considers the
who are experiencing such things as their pressure on even the youngest children
forthcoming
only education and for whom there is no to dress and behave like adults, to
events
going back or easy unravelling. worship at the altar of celebrity, and
Trust and a sense of professionalism to carry the worries of the world about
need to be given back to teachers. The climate change, wars, and future debt on
current culture, dominated by league tables their shoulders, it is not surprising that they do
and targets, has driven much of the creativity not appear carefree.
out of teaching. The need to ensure that They need fewer examinations, even if they
as many pupils as possible gain five A* to C have been reduced to bite-sized modules; more
See iMERGE and Digital Posters in action:
grades at GCSE (or their equivalent) has been the chance to relax and have fun; and good role models
driving force in too many schools, and vast amounts who will help them to become civilised adults.
Visit MRG on stand N30 in the gallery BETT 2010
of school budgets have been spent on converting D All of this may seem rather unlikely to be able to
grade pupils to C grade pupils. be achieved, but if we don’t aim high, then we will
The muddle that is contextual value-added needs never make a difference, and yet another generation
unpicking and it must be acknowledged that in almost of young people will be condemned to a less than
every school cohorts can differ significantly from one satisfactory way of life. Happy new year!
another, in behaviour, attitude, ability and attainment. MRG Systems Limited Willow Court, Beeches Green, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 4BJ
It is actually ridiculous to assume that every school • Marion Gibbs is headmistress of the independent
T +44 (0)1453 751871 E sales@mrgsystems.co.uk W www.mrgsystems.co.uk
is on a steady upward trajectory with its examination James Allen’s Girls’ School in London.
SecEd • January 7 2010 7
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