For the last 18 months staff and pupils from Strathesk Primary School have been working together with parents and the local community in the fight against bullying and in the week before Christmas Strathesk became the first school in Scotland to achieve ‘The Big Award’. BIG (Bullying Intervention Group) is a nationally recognised award for excellence in tackling bullying in schools. Schools are required to provide specific evidence to show they are providing specialist support and at Strathesk they did just that. Primary 7 pupils had rigorous training to become ‘Peer Mediators’, helping to resolve disputes between children. Older pupils also run playground activities – calling themselves ‘The Fun Ones’ they organise and support various motivating playground games, ensuring children respect each other, take turns and share. The school even has it’s own Anti-bullying mascot ‘Purpleman’ who visits from space to support the children in the fight against bullying and to ‘Help everyone respect others’.
As well as these specialist programmes Strathesk staff and pupils worked on curricular programmes specially designed to support anti-bullying, and they re-designed policies and procedures – together so that everyone played a part in making the vision real.
A spokesperson from BIG stated:
Strathesk Primary School have just achieved the BIG Award for excellence in challenging bullying. Bullying can occur in any school, but some schools really work hard to ensure that their pupils can learn in a safe and happy environment. Strathesk Primary School have an excellent and up to date anti-bullying policy, they involve pupils and their parents in their strategies. They even have a mascot superhero “Purpleman” who helps to get the message across from outer space! I am delighted that this school has now received the recognition they deserve for having a whole school approach to tackling bullying.
Val Mcfarlane, Director, Bullying Intervention Group.
Headteacher Ms Vicky Donaldson said ‘We are absolutely delighted to achieve this award. It has been hard work but involvement from parents and members of the local community has helped spur us on to success. Of course the children have been instrumental in our fight against bullying and initiatives such as Peer Mediation and The Fun Ones have helped to strengthen relationships. Also children have a very clear understanding of bullying, what it is, why it occurs and ultimately how to stop it and seek support if needed. This was a fabulous Christmas present for us and we look forward to retaining our excellence status into the future.’
