Courage to beat the bullies (From Borehamwood Times)

Courage to beat the bullies

5:13pm Friday 28th November 2008

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Anti-Bullying Week is an annual event to spread the message that bullying is unacceptable. JANAKI MAHADEVAN and SURUCHI SHARMA look at what Borehamwood schools are doing to tackle the problem

Many youngsters affected by bullying feel trapped, isolated and scared to speak out.

In an Ofsted survey of more than 150,000 children published last month, 39 per cent said they had been bullied at school, with more than a quarter saying bullying was a “significant” worry for them.

Last year Hertfordshire primary schools recorded an average of two bullying incidents each, and secondary schools averaged nearly 30. The figures were revealed during Anti-Bullying Week, which is marked every year by schools, local authorities and community groups making a stand against bullying.

This year, schools across Borehamwood have been joining in the fight to stamp out the problem, getting children, teachers and parents involved in activities that say “no” to bullying.

Children at Woodlands Primary School, in Alban Crescent, were busy last week designing posters, writing poems and drawing up an anti-bullying charter.

Deputy head teacher Rebecca Woode said: “Children can bully for all sorts of reasons. They could have insecurities and are trying to make themselves look better, they could be having difficulties and venting their anger on others.

“It is important we always find out the reasons behind the bullying so we can help improve the situation. If anyone comes to us about bullying, we make sure it is followed up and logged and dealt with there and then.”

Pupils at the school filled in a questionnaire drawn up by Year 6 prefects asking children about their experiences. The prefects also drew up a charter, which children signed up to, and parents were given leaflets on how to spot signs of bullying.

Children at Parkside Community Primary School, in Aycliffe Road, released blue balloons to mark the week last Friday. The balloons contained pledges made by all the children to help stamp out bullying.

Headteacher Julie Muncey said: “The children all came dressed in blue to mark the day and, earlier in the week, we had a magic show that incorporated tricks with anti-bullying messages. This brought the whole issue alive for the children and got them thinking in their assembly.”

Year 5 pupil Megan, aged ten, whose pledge was “See something, say something”, said: “I thought it was a good week and anti-bullying week will make people stop and think.”

This year’s anti-bullying week, which ended on Friday, focused on the theme ‘Being different, belonging together’.

A spokeswoman for Hertfordshire County Council, the authority responsible for education, said the rise of incidents in the borough could be explained by staff being more vigilant and pupils having more confidence to ask teachers for help.

“We have launched a pack of resources that will lead to full staff training on bullying over the coming months to ensure consistency of response and recording.

“We have set up independent support services for parents who are concerned about cases of bullying and racist incidents that remain unresolved. We can never be complacent about the seriousness of bullying and its impact on young lives.”

For more information for parents and teachers, visit hertsdirect.org

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