At Maisondieu Primary School in Angus, senior leaders saw a change in the relationships and behaviour of the children. There was an increase in aggressive behaviour from children and the word ‘bullying’ was referred to more often by parents and children. Staff also found that groups of children were displaying unkind behaviour on social media platforms. 

What the school did

Senior leaders prioritised the role of the curriculum in addressing bullying behaviour. The health and wellbeing (HWB) curriculum now includes programs that teach about anti-bullying. These include ways that children can resolve unacceptable behaviour.

Anti-bullying curriculum

Children have been taught the meanings of ‘upstander’ and ‘bystander’. This helps them understand what to do if they are being bullied or witness bullying. An upstander pledge has been introduced in the school in the form of a mascot. The HWB curriculum now includes the differences between bullying, conflict, and unkind behaviour.  

Staff are using the wider outdoor curriculum to support children to understand their right to play safely in the playground. House captains and pupil support assistants planned and gave lessons. These lessons addressed behaviours in the playground linking to children’s rights.

As a result, the school created a whole playground charter. This is being used well to provide consistent shared expectations of behaviour. Teachers ensure that there are opportunities for children to develop skills of empathy and compassion.    

Building effective partnerships

Senior leaders have worked with partners to complement their HWB curriculum.

For example, the community football trust is helping children work together. They problem solve and discuss emotions through the participation programme. This has also helped the school to tackle local issues which have arisen through local football coaching clubs and games.

Forest school learning is helping to reduce the number of bullying incidents. It provides a positive space for the children to work together, build resilience, problem solve and develop empathy. 

Forest school learning is helping to reduce the number of bullying incidents. It provides a positive space for the children to work together, build resilience, problem solve and develop empathy. As a result, staff and children report that those involved are more engaged in learning, are kinder to others and are displaying more positive interactions

The impact and what changed for children and young people

Children in the upper stages of the school have a strong understanding of terms such as observer, upstander and bystander. Children can express the difference between being bullied and people being unkind. They also report that more people are now being kind to each other.

As a result of targeted interventions, staff and children report that those involved are more engaged in learning, are kinder to others and are displaying more positive interactions.   

The senior leadership team and school and pupil support assistants have noticed a decrease in the number of altercations and aggressive and unkind behaviour during play times. Staff and children comment that the playground is now much calmer and children are more respectful to each other. 

In a recent survey, parents agreed or strongly agreed that the school encourages children to treat each other with respect. Almost all parents felt that their child was safe at school and that the school supports the emotional wellbeing of children.