“We’re giving up put-downs. They are often seen as part of Scottish culture and as humour but often they are the way aggression starts,” Moira Heatly, depute head at Craigentinny primary in Edinburgh, told the conference.
The school has adopted the Peacebuilders programme, developed in the United States and Australia, in which selected P6 pupils act as peace buddies.
Volunteer members of the Craigie Crew take a turn a couple of times a week watching out for good and bad behaviour. They are given special training on becoming good listeners and working with younger children and are rewarded with a special fleece and cap.
“They become a focus for the children and some of them are those who found playtime difficult,” Mrs Heatly said.
She added: “There are fewer referrals to the senior management team and the children are working hard to ensure it’s a safer place.”
