The Royal High school in Edinburgh found that bullying related to equalities issues was increasing. The school's self-evaluation revealed that individuals were not reporting these incidents. Young people were keen to build their understanding of equality and diversity. 

What the school did

Young people recognised the need to respect one another and the importance of valuing each other’s differences.

Young people and staff have developed a shared language about what bullying and unkind behaviour is. This includes a framework which allows young people to describe how they have been made to feel. This is an effective aid to support staff in exploring with young people the impact that their actions have on others.

This framework helps staff and young people deal with discriminatory language more effectively. It supports them in dealing with challenges around discriminatory language. It also makes it explicit to young people that any bullying behaviour will be addressed. 

Anti bullying curriculum 

Young people supported staff to refresh the curriculum. They wanted additional time to explore difficult and challenging issues within Personal and Social Education (PSE) classes. Issues around language and bias relating to race are now part of the curriculum.

Different departments across the school are promoting an anti-racist curriculum.

Young people want to see themselves reflected more accurately in the school curriculum. It is important that diversity is not depicted in a way that reinforces assumptions and stereotypes.   

The work in PSE has contributed towards a culture that builds confidence and empowerment for young people. Young people felt empowered to form and join their own groups looking at equalities issues, such as disability, race, gender and LGBTQ+. These groups monitor and evaluate the work of the school and make recommendations for improvement. The groups are highly visible and play a key role in addressing types of bullying behaviour.    

In addition to the work of the equality groups, there are annual sessions for each year group focusing on a shared understanding of positive relationships, empathy and how one person’s actions can make another person feel. These sessions are referred to throughout the year in PSE and wellbeing lessons, assemblies, parents’ evenings and during specific interventions.

This approach is used to build a simple, shared language which young people can use to indicate that they, or certain behaviours, are ‘not OK’.  

Young people are supported in how to deal with discriminatory language or behaviour. There is greater consistency and confidence among staff and young people to challenge such behaviour. Young people feel more reassured that school staff are actively dealing with incidents. Young people more readily challenge bullying behaviour and are more confident in tackling such behaviour.    

S5 and S6 learners are trained to work with younger people on bullying and positive relationships. S3 learners are now being trained in these approaches. School leaders have responded positively to initiatives from young people, such as their organisation of the school’s Culture Week.

The equalities groups are entirely learner-led, and learners set clear, year-by-year aims for the groups and aim to achieve them in a strategic manner. A range of other targeted approaches are also in place, and they also prioritise learners as leaders. For example, there is an S4 girls’ group focusing on resolving friendship and peer issues.    

The impact and what changed for children and young people 

A greater understanding of issues around bullying and equalities-related incidents has led to young people being better informed and more empowered to raise these as concerns.

Staff are better equipped to respond to such incidents and provide young people with greater assurance and confidence that these are now more effectively dealt with.

Young people across the school feel that their understanding of prejudice-based bullying has improved and that they have a greater sense of belonging at the Royal High School.