Good Practice Case Study

Wymondley JMI School

School No: 72

The Wymondley Wizard

As part of the school’s anti-bullying scheme, a wizard puppet is used to act as a buddy to the children.

The Wizard

There is a shiny wizard’s box for the children to post messages in and they use this regularly if they feel uncomfortable with a situation or if they feel they are being picked on. The children love the character of the puppet and treat him as a confidante. The wizard is often taken to assemblies and talks to the children about the letters he has received. The headteacher can explain the school’s ethos about being considerate to each other through this tool.

The children trust the wizard to treat their problems in confidence.

Circle Times

Another part of the school’s anti-bullying policy is to hold regular circle times when children take it in turn to talk about things that matter to them. Circle time is a safe forum where the children know that they have a voice and will be listened to. Following the circle time rules children feel confident about sharing problems and about offering support. Circle times are fun too, as they are packed with games aimed at the development of co-operation and friendship.