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Camden New Journal - By TOM FOOT
Published: 24 May 2007

Bodyguards tackle schoolyard bullies

A PRIMARY school is training nine-year-olds as personal bodyguards in a scheme aiming to “beat the bullies” in the playground.
George Elliot Junior School in Boundary Road has chosen 12 peer mediators.
They will wear special badges and file lunchtime reports that teachers will monitor.
The young people have been trained under the school’s Learning Mentors programme. They learned about the effects of bullying, how to spot isolated youngsters and how to approach them.
A spokeswoman said each peer mediator would be a “constant, visible presence in the playground,” wearing distinctive badges to mark them out.
Some children with behavioural problems are assigned to a specific mediator who will act as a bodyguard during break time.
Beatrix Simpson, head teacher at George Elliot Junior School, said: “This new initiative has proved very successful and I think I can say students feel happier and safer in the playground.
“I think it is important that our pupils know they have someone their own age they can talk to.”
Ms Simpson added that bullying was rare at the school but she was keen to ensure all pupils felt safe and happy.

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