Pupils lead anti-bullying activity at Montrose Academy

The Montrose Academy anti-bullying group is made up of five pupils in S2 – S3. Together, they lead the anti-bullying activity in their school.

Over the last year, two members of the group, Sophie Beedie and Charlie Rutter, also represented Montrose Academy in ‘Angus Think Before You Type’, a campaign developed by young people across Angus in partnership with respectme, Angus Council and NSPCC Scotland to further understanding of online bullying and find local, youth-led solutions to address it.

Here are some of the activities the group have delivered to their fellow pupils and peers over the last school year…

PSE Lessons: Compliment Displays & Worry Boxes

Anti-bullying lessons were held in PSE classes throughout Anti-Bullying Week 2019. Classes created compliment displays by writing down one thing they like about themselves and one thing they like about another person in the class. These were then displayed for the class to see.

‘When we read the compliments, pupils were quite shocked because they weren’t used to hearing positive things about themselves. It was really nice.’ – ABG Member

Boxes were placed in PSE classrooms for pupils to anonymously raise concerns with staff. Replies were to each concern were posted on an anonymous but publically accessible advice board.

Assemblies & Small Pledges

Each year group also attended dedicated anti-bullying assemblies. Teachers asked pupils to pledge one ‘small change’ that would help support others.

‘After an assembly one boy told me he had stood up to his friends when they mimicked another boy’s speech. He told me he had done it because it was one of the small changes listed on my slides at the assembly.’ – Karen Taylor, DHT, Montrose Academy

Pupil focus groups

The anti-bullying group held pupil focus groups in which they discussed anti-bullying initiatives and solutions that could be introduced at the school, and provided feedback to existing anti-bullying activity.

Meet and Greets

Beginning on Anti-Bullying Week 2019 and continuing for the next four weeks, staff focused on meeting and greeting pupils at doors and in corridors. This aimed to highlight that staff are available to speak to about concerns pupils may have.

‘The one way system made pupils feel at ease going into class and it made pupils feel positive in school.’ – ABG Member

‘How I feel…’ Post-it Note Display

At the start of Anti-Bullying Week, check-in teachers encouraged classes to write their feelings on post-it notes, which were then displayed on an ‘Emotions wall’. This allowed pupils to witness the range of emotions their peers in the class were feeling.

Formal and In-formal Drop Ins

Throughout Anti-Bullying Week 2019, the anti-bullying group held a series of informal drop-in sessions, providing peer support for senior and junior pupils. Staff volunteers also held daily drop-in sessions for pupils to bring concerns about bullying.

What’s next?

The anti-bullying group are now working with teachers to organise an assembly presentation from a community police officer to raise awareness of the laws around bullying behaviour.

Has Montrose Academy inspired you to share your #ChangeStartsWithUs journey so far? Contact saoirse.docherty@respectme.org.uk to tell us all about it!

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