Our approach - to effect long-term change

The emphasis of much of our work is to break this cycle of rivalry and conflict, to encourage the boys to want to co-operate and care for each other. In examples of clear cut bullying the importance of this process being implemented skillfully and effectively is heightened.

We do not believe that punitive reactions to bullying has a positive long-term effect. We would be argue that such an approach to re-enforce bullying as a philosophy for life. At best a sanction might relieve the victim for a short period of time, at worse it can increase the anger and resentment towards the victim.

If bullying is based on power and intimidation then by imposing sanctions on a bully, they are in effect being over powered and intimidated, (all be it by those in authority and for the right motive.)Similarly, Children's Courts can be exploited, resulting in the accused "bully" suffering from a formalised group isolation and intimidation. In any case, when investigating "bullying" incidents, we have found it very difficult to get to the full truth due to pupils covering up, blurring the facts or lying to incriminate others.

Much of our staff training involves understanding the nature of conflict and the development of skills to diffuse confrontations. We firmly believe that through the skilful application of these skills to all conflicts but especially bullying, we can build constructively from negative experiences.

Our approach:

• to build an ethos of non-confrontation.
• to mediate between the victim and the perpetrators or perpetrator.
• to provide support and security to the victim and the perpetrator.
• To help perpetrators to move away from the need to bully.