School’s effort to beat bullying
A pupil- lead initiative is paving the way in tackling bullying at school.
Last year the Prestwick Academy pupil council identified bullying as the top issue they wanted to work on and address at their school.
Since then, the council and a lead staff member, Aimee McGoldrick have taken forward a range of initiatives to help prevent and respond to bullying in their school.
And at the start of the year, Prestwick Academy was invited to showcase its anti- bullying practice at a Scottish Government event which aimed to support the implementation of ‘ Respect For All: the national approach to antibullying for Scotland’s children and young people’.
Ms McGoldrick, explained: “This started when the pupil council came together and they identified, themselves, that anti- bullying was something that they wanted to focus on and lead within the school - this meant that the pupil council coordinated a series of workshops for anti- bullying week in 2017.
“Those work shops were delivered from S1 right through to S6.
“One of the key things is that pupils wanted to see a specific support group on offer at lunch time where they’re not necessarily having to contact staff.
“Some of the senior pupils in the school are wanting to pick up this initiative.”
Deputy First Minister John Swinney attended a lesson at Prestwick Academy, last week, to discuss how to address bullying in schools.
During his visit, he heard about the school’s anti- bullying policy, which was developed following pupil, parent and staff consultation and encompasses a range of initiatives to help prevent and respond to bullying among students.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Anti- Bullying Week is an appropriate opportunity to send a clear message that bullying of any kind is never acceptable. Every child has the right to grow up fully included in their learning experience and to be treated with respect.”
The visit comes as a Scotland- wide anti- bullying campaign is set to put bullying behaviour on the radar.
Launched ahead of Anti- Bullying Week 2018, from November 12- 18, the campaign is urging young people to #ChooseRespect.
Mr Swinney, added: “Where bullying does happen we all have a responsibility to address it. That is why campaigns like this one are so important, to teach young people the behaviours they can expect from their peers and how to choose respect over bullying.”
Alongside Mr Swinney’s visit, charity respectme, is calling for those working with young people – from teachers and youth group leaders to sports coaches and community volunteers – to ‘ pledge’ their support via a newly launched microsite www.chooserespect.scot, and be among the first to gain access to this year’s learning materials.