mediation by adults - from age 9

Methods focus on pupils who have been bullying others regularly for some time, as well as those being bullied. The aim is to establish ground rules that will enable the pupils to co-exist at the school. There is a simple script available: 

• hold brief, non-confrontational, individual ‘chats’ with each pupil in a quiet room without interruptions - the bullying pupils first
• get agreement with each that the bullied pupil is unhappy and that they will help improve the situation - if they cannot suggest ways to do this be prescriptive
• chat supportively with the bullied pupil - helping them to understand how to change if thought to have ‘provoked’ the bullying
• check progress a week later, then meet all involved to reach agreement on reasonable long-term behaviour - at this stage participants usually cease bullying
• check whether the bullying starts again or targets another pupil
• if bullying persists, combine the method with some other action targeted specifically at that child, such as parental involvement or a change of class

The approach is successful, at least in the short term, provided the whole process is worked through. Alone, it cannot tackle all forms of bullying, and it may not have long-term success unless backed up by other procedures, including firm disciplinary ones.

Staff training is vital and requires practice of the script and process through role play. Training more than one member of staff (including non-teaching staff) enables greater flexibility and avoids one person becoming typecast. Families can be invited to training sessions. See The Method of Shared Concern. (see curricular approaches to bullying section)

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