Dundee City Council, in association with Tayside Police, recently held six half-day anti-bullying sessions for approximately 2000 S1 pupils. The programme included Dave Gauder’s ‘Strong Man’ Anti-Bullying presentation, which is particularly popular with this age group. Research from across the world has shown that children in the 11-12 age group are most likely to report being bullied. We also know that children about to enter secondary school often mention worries about being bullied as their greatest concern, so high profile events like this, which emphasise the importance of creating a safe non-bullying ethos are most useful. This programme will now be run for students at special schools in November 2003.

For details of the event contact: Steph Faichney Tel: 01382 438777.

At the Anti-Bullying Network we hear many harrowing stories about children and young people whose parents fear they may attempt self-harm, whose behaviour changes from extrovert to introvert, who become nervous, who cannot concentrate, and whose academic work and relationships suffer. It is clear that bullying can affect the emotional well-being of young people in the short term and may have effects on mental health of some victims which persist into their adult life. We were pleased therefore that anti-bullying materials were circulated at two seminars for adults working with young people held by the Health Promotion Department, working in partnership with North and South Lanarkshire Council Education Services, as part of Scottish Mental Health Week in September.

For details of these events email Elizabeth Oldcorn.

Hundreds of young people were guests of honour at Renfrewshire Council’s launch of its new policy document, ‘Tackling Bullying in Renfrewshire’, at a conference in Paisley Town Hall in September. This document was prepared by a multi-agency group, and followed the publication of a strategy document entitled ‘Better Behaviour and Learning in Renfrewshire’ in September 2002. Workshops were led by Senior Pupils from Trinity High School and guests were entertained by a moving drama performed by pupils from the same school. Trinity High School won the Gold Bowl Award for their anti-bullying initiatives at the Scottish Education Awards in 2003.

For details of Renfrewshire’s policy email Elaine Mackay or telephone 0141 842 5510.

Involving pupils in discussions about how schools tackle bullying is a pre-requisite for the success of any anti-bullying policy. Pupil councils can be places where such discussions take place but, although more and more schools have such councils and some are operating very well, others have no clear remit or constitution. Fife Council is developing a useful set of performance indicators which could be used by pupils and/or teachers in a self-evaluation process. The Council has also recently produced a new policy document which requires that schools should “establish regular pupil forums to discuss current issues with regard to bullying”.

For details contact: Ms Sandie Steele, Development Officer 01592 414 600.

Also in Fife, PC Iain Offor, a Community Police Officer, is trying to encourage a multi-agency approach. This is particularly important when dealing with the many episodes of bullying which straddle the boundary between school and the wider community. A meeting in September at Glenrothes Police Station was attended by representatives from: the Health Service, the Education Department, Youth First, Social Work, Fife Mediation, the Anti-Bullying Network and parents’ groups along with a local councillor, MP, and the Children’s Reporter. PC Offor is the author of a research report, ‘Breaking the Chains of Bullying’ based on a survey in two local schools.

For details contact PC Iain Offor at Glenrothes Police Station, telephone 01592 418600.

Using drama and the expressive arts to explore sensitivities and feelings about bullying can create important learning experiences for young people. At St Luke’s Secondary School in East Renfrewshire the personal and social education programme for first year students is delivered through drama, one element of which is a block of six periods when they consider bullying. Activities include role play with the drama teacher playing the part of someone who has been bullied (it was stressed that problems could arise if the young person ‘playing the victim’ is a person who has actually been a victim); a case study; assertiveness exercises such as ‘standing tall’; and discussion. Artwork, posters and written work were created, including a very moving fictional diary about bullying. The school also runs a lunchtime drama group where some students have created a dramatic piece about bullying.

For details contact: Marion McGrattan, telephone 0141 557 2400.

Equal Futures Conference, 2 December 2003, SECC, Glasgow.
This third national conference on race equality provides a vital platform for Scotland’s younger citizens to network and engage in debate and dialogue with professionals from all sectors. Pupils and students from across Scotland can contribute to this discussion by taking part in this questionnaire. at
One session ‘I’m me and I’m proud of who I am’ will be presented by Gypsy and Traveller young people from across Scotland, raising awareness of their rich cultural traditions and demonstrating the discrimination that this nomadic group face on a daily basis.

For more information contact Radha Singh, Children in Scotland, Princes House, 5 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh EH2 4RG, telephone 0131 222 2438, fax 0131 228 8585 or by email.

Overcoming Violence Project
On Thursday 12 February 2004, participants from schools and communities involved in the Overcoming Violence Project will give an account of their innovative anti-violence initiatives at a conference in the Moray House School of Education. A second conference will be held in Perth on 4 March 2004.

For more information contact David Mackenzie by telephone, 01259 752159 or by email, or download the conference booking form (in .pdf).