What works against bullying at school?.

The school has a duty of care to provide a safe learning environment. Most schools have an anti-bullying policy. What works against bullying at school and how can the school prevent bullying?

Review of anti-bullying programs

Many schools use a program to fight bullying. Some programs also focus on a positive atmosphere at school and in class.

The recognition committee for interventions reviews how well the programs work. The committee has three ratings:

• Not recognized: the program works insufficiently.
• Recognized and well founded: the theory is correct, so the program likely works.
• Effective: a study has shown some or full effect.

The rating is valid for five years.

Which anti-bullying programs work?

It is often hard to tell in practice. The recognized programs only work if they are used exactly as described.

These are the anti-bullying programs rated as effective:

• Kiva: for upper primary school. Most effective for classes with many conflicts, especially when a psychologist is involved in the process.
• PRIMA: for the whole primary school. Very effective for classes with many conflicts and the intensive version is used.
• Taakspel: for groups 3 to 8 in primary school.

There are also many anti-bullying programs rated as well founded. These are Alles Kidzzz, De Vreedzame school, Kanjertraining, Omgaan met elkaar, Plezier op school, Programma Alternatieve Denkstrategieën (PAD), School Wide Positive Behavior Support, Sta sterk training and Zippy’s vrienden.

Characteristics of good anti-bullying programs

Programs that work against bullying have some things in common:

• There is someone at school who stands up for the bullied child.
• Parents are involved, as well as children, teachers and other school staff.
• The school uses the program for several years.
• The anti-bullying policy is not just on paper, everyone at school behaves accordingly.