A new approach to preserving peace in schools
Owner / Author:
Vanhove, A and Raynal. M. (2004). Secucities: Violence and Schools. European Forum of Urban Safety. Paris: Perolle
Organisation:
International Agencies
Contact Details:
See Owner/Author
Strategy / Initiative Name:
A new approach to preserving peace in schools.
Local Authority(ies):
International
Group Targeted:
Pupils in comprehensive schools.
Crime Type / Violence Activity:
Education
Level(s):
Primary
Aims:
- To create a safe learning environment.
- Improving safety in comprehensive schools, from the point of view of both staff and students.
- To preserve the safety of all those visiting schools, e.g. parents, people with business in schools.
Approach:
Multi-agency, community-based cooperation.
Educative measures.
Educative measures.
Project's Methodology:
Co-operation between different players and the schools.
The general contexts of teaching and education must be related to safety issues and the atmosphere in schools should be improved.
First, experts' viewpoints are considered, with experts being the students themselves, the teachers, parents and the pupils' maintenance group. The letter is a multi-professional group which consists of different kinds of professionals related to schools .There may be a teachers' representative, a psychologist, a social workers, a youth work official and even somebody from the police or the maintenance staff. This group concentrates on a certain problem and tries to solve it. Clear procedures for handling various matters are provided.
Safety is also made part of the national curriculum. Schools must have common work procedures and preparedness to solve conflicts through:
- common order regulations and action procedures
- different kinds of programmes to ensure safety
- consistency of actions
- managing the school and the role models given by the adults
- good co-operation among teachers and shared responsibilities
- good co-operation with homes and the surrounding community
- all curricula shall also define the students' maintenance group and its objective
In all Helsinki schools, follow-up investigations will be carried out regularly, and the audition procedures are aimed at safety issues.
Other Agencies Involved:
City of Helsinki Education Department.
Evaluation Process:
None.
Evaluation Impact:
None.
Evaluation Result:
Not Evaluated
Criticism:
Scientific evaluation is missing.
Potential:
Participatory approach, early intervention.
