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What works against bullying at school?.
The school has a responsibility to provide a safe learning environment. Most schools have an anti-bullying protocol. What works against bullying at school and how can the school prevent bullying?
How can you prevent bullying?
Bullying is often a complex problem that happens out of view of school staff. Still, the school can help prevent bullying with some measures:
- Positive atmosphere at school and in class. Harmony and respect are key. Bullying and other aggressive behaviour are not accepted. The school and teachers ensure a safe atmosphere.
- Supervision. Bullying often happens out of sight of the teacher. Supervision in class and on the playground helps stop bullying behaviour.
- Cooperation and training of school staff. This way bullying is easier to spot, and children can get help quickly.
Does punishing bullies work?
It seems logical to punish the bully. But this is not always effective and can sometimes make bullying worse.
The only punishments that seem to work are:
- Losing privileges: not being allowed to do something fun.
- A meeting between parent and teacher, with the child if needed.
Review of anti-bullying programmes
Many schools use a programme to prevent bullying. Some of these programmes also focus on a positive atmosphere at school and in class.
The recognition committee reviews how well the programmes work. The committee has three ratings:
- Not recognized: the programme does not work well enough.
- Recognized and well founded: the theory is correct, so the programme probably works.
- Effective: a study shows some or full proof of effect.
The rating is valid for five years.
Which anti-bullying programmes work?
This is often hard to know in practice. The recognized programmes only work if they are done exactly as described.
These anti-bullying programmes are rated as effective:
- Kiva: for upper primary school. Especially effective for classes with much conflict, mainly when a psychologist helps with the programme.
- PRIMA: for the whole primary school. Especially effective for classes with much conflict and the intensive version.
- Taakspel: for groups 3 to 8 in primary school
There are also several anti-bullying programmes rated as “well founded.” These include Alles Kidzzz, De Vreedzame school, Kanjertraining, Omgaan met elkaar, Plezier op school, Programma Alternatieve Denkstrategieën (PAD), School Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS), Sta sterk (training) and Zippy’s friends.
Features of good anti-bullying programmes
Programmes 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 staff of the school.
- The school uses the programme for several years.
- The anti-bullying policy of the school is not only on paper, but everyone at school also acts accordingly.
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