HEALTH MATTERS 55 bullying


A training programme was then developed in how to deal with bullying using a restorative approach. This approach encourages teachers to see bullying as a problem to be solved rather than a student/s to be blamed. It requires a less punitive approach and time to be given to teach empathy skills to students who use bullying behaviour and who lack such skills.While a restorative approach holds people accountable for their behaviour, it offers a more pro-social manner of dealing with perpetrators.


While all this was happening, the


international research community was continuing to study the whole area of bullying. Keeping abreast of the literature was an extremely important part of a successful programme. It became clear in the mid-90s that relational bullying was a major problem in our schools. To deal with this


growing problem, the Cool School team set about developing a


“Keeping abreast of the literature was an extremely important part of a successful programme. it became clear in the mid-90s that relational bullying was a major problem in our schools.”


separate training for teachers and parents and a curriculum for students. The team also published two handbooks for teachers, Responding to Bullying and Investigating and Resolving Bullying in School. A book for parents, Bullying in Secondary School – What Parents Need to Know and a book for students, R U Bn Bullied? Tips for Teens followed.


The research aspect of the programme has been published in several prestigious journals. Four years ago, the Department of Education and Science reviewed the Cool School materials and piloted the programme successfully in Dublin schools. Recently, the Department has appointed Pat Courtney as Assistant Co-ordinator to the Social, Personal and Health Education service (SPHE) with a particular responsibility for dealing with bullying in Irish schools. This is a step forward in making school a safe place for Irish school children, but much more needs to be done. In the meantime, Dr Lawlor’s team have been developing a programme for primary schools, modelled on the whole-school approach of the second-level programme. You can contact the Cool School


Programme at Hazel House, Kennedy Rd, Navan, Co. Meath


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