What You Can Do

You can help to stop bullying in your school. Check your own behaviour. Refuse to be involved in any bullying situation.

• Do not allow someone to be deliberately left out of a group.
• Encourage a bullied pupil to join in with your activities or groups.

If You See Someone Being Bullied:

• Do not smile or laugh.
• Tell a member of staff what is happening.
• If you can, tell the bully to stop what they are doing.
• If you can, show the bully that you disapprove of his or her actions.

If you do nothing when you see bullying, you may be allowing it to happen, or even encouraging it.

They are a gathering of students and staff that meet to decide what happens in your school!

If you get onto the School Council - you have a powerful voice regarding new initiatives, changes and improvements.

Different schools do it in different ways - some even have elections! So to all you budding PMs out there - this is for you! Many schools do change the students on the School Council regularly - every year is a good option so the students chosen have the time to get their teeth stuck into some good big projects. Don't assume you have missed your chance - always make sure that you have expressed your interest with the staff concerned and keep your eyes peeled for posters advertising recruitment. What's stopping you?

A Peer Support scheme involves students working as active listeners and facilitators. They provide a safe opportunity for another student to share concerns and explore options. There are many different types of Peer Support schemes - your school will think about what is the best one for yours!

If your school already has a Peer Support Scheme:

• Go to see the member of staff who deals with the scheme - normally there are 1 or 2 members of staff that oversee the training of the students.
• Make them aware of your interest.
• It is common for schools to run a rota system and train different students at different times so don't worry - you may not have missed your chance!

If your school does not have a Peer Support Scheme:

• Campaign for one on the School Council!
• Put forward a proposal to the School Council!
• Talk to your immediate form tutor about the possibilities.

Peer Supporters need to have many skills. Have a look down the list and see if you think you have a few of these qualities. If you are interested in becoming a Peer Supporter and think that there are some you don't have - don't worry, Peer Supporters are expected to train on the job and develop their own skills. Your school should provide you with plenty of opportunities to do this.

Are you able to:

• Listen?
• Actively listen?
• Empathise? NB: This is NOT the same as sympathise!!!
• Detach yourself from a situation?
• Communicate well?
• Work in a team situation?
• Be non-judgemental?
• Respond?
• Be non-inferring?
• Demonstrate self-control (manage your own emotions)

Are you:

• Perceptive? (presenting problems)
• Articulate?
• Dependent?
• Reliable?

It takes a very special person to be a good Peer Supporter. Want the challenge? Think that you could do it?

Get actively involved in any Peer Support schemes that your school has developed.

Use School Councils to air your concerns or to establish schemes that encourage opportunities for informal and formal discussions between students.