Maidenhead & Windsor

The problem of bullying – and how to tackle it – takes centre stage at one Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough school in the coming weeks.

Year Six pupils at Dedworth Middle School will be taking "Three Steps Forward" in the move to stamp out bullying when they take part in an innovative programme of interactive drama workshops starting at the school this week – tying in with national Anti-Bullying Week from November 19 – 23.

The "Three Steps Forward" programme – run by the Realeyes Theatre company – uses drama and creativity workshops to highlight the problem of bullying in a practical way to address issues including:
· peer pressure, prejudice and discrimination through simulated role play
· anti-bullying strategies through drama improvisation
· anti-bullying culture in the community through an arts and creative thinking workshop.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead children's services, said: "Some young people suffer terribly as a result of bullying, and anything we can do to highlight and tackle the problem is extremely worthwhile."

"This programme is a very practical way of helping to equip young people with the skills to address the problem of bullying – and to help develop instead a culture of respect, tolerance and understanding of how to deal with the issues.

"The programme at Dedworth is the first of its kind in the borough, and is intended to help support the school with its existing and very robust anti-bullying strategy. We hope to be able to extend it to other schools in the near future."

Stuart Muir, headteacher at Dedworth Middle School, said: "We are delighted to be given the opportunity to take part in this programme, which will complement the work of the anti-bullying strategy and the whole-school approach we are already using to combat bullying.

"The Three Steps Forward programme involves the children on a practical level, and teachers and parents too, with suggestions for follow-up activities, tips, information and advice which can be taken outside the classroom and into the home. We are all looking forward to it immensely."

The programme is funded by a partnership between the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough's Healthy Schools team and the Berkshire East PCT.

Philip Brooks, consultant in public health and local health lead at Berkshire East PCT said; "Innovative and exciting ways to present the anti-bullying message are extremely important when engaging with young people and children. This will hopefully be the first of similar programmes throughout the borough and we hope that the message to pupils, and to their schools, is loud and clear – bullying must not be tolerated."

The first session takes place at the school on Tuesday November 13.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead