Bullying is put on school’s agenda

A LESSON in dealing with the problems of bullying was in store for students at Helena Romanes School in Dunmow as they took part in a course on peer mentoring, this week. The programme, run by the Pupil Referral Unit in Harlow, took place in response to a

A LESSON in dealing with the problems of bullying was in store for students at Helena Romanes School in Dunmow as they took part in a course on peer mentoring, this week.

The programme, run by the Pupil Referral Unit in Harlow, took place in response to a survey of pupils at the school on what they felt were issues that affected them.

Steve Emberton, head of Year 10, said: "Pupils highlighted bullying as one of the issues that they faced in teenage life, were worried about, felt they needed to address and wanted to learn how to help."

Pupils had to apply to take part and there were originally 20 spaces on the course. However, so many people applied to take part that this number was increased to 32.

Over two days, pupils were taught about how to listen to younger children, and how to identify the signs of bullying.

This included pupils being posed problems and then, using roleplay, having to come up with ideas of how to solve them.

"The course was hailed as a great success. The evaluation forms the students filled out came back as excellent," said Mr Emberton.

"They really enjoyed it and thought they had learned a great deal.

"Also, the people who led the course said they thought the pupils were outstanding.