NASUWT’s Gangs and Schools Report

The NASUWT published the interim findings of their Gangs and Schools Report today, which suggest that gangs are not a widespread problem in schools, but schools need significant help to tackle the problem head on where it exists. It’s only the interim findings, the full report is out in September, but it makes some interesting points.

Firstly, it is heartening to see the NASUWT painting a responsible, realistic picture of the problem, acknowledging it without blowing it out of proportion or scaremongering, and offering positive and sensible recommendations.

The findings show that gang related activities can stem from truancy, and are linked to poor interfaith and interracial relations. Beatbullying knows that bullying is linked with both of these issues, and it’s not too big a leap to see that prevention work around bullying will therefore have a significant effect in tackling the problem of gangs in schools as well.

We’ve been acutely aware of the links between bullying, violent behaviour, and gang culture for a long time. Bullying often operates with a pack mentality, with young people forming groups both to target others and to protect themselves. This can be seen as a precursor to gang behaviour, with young people searching for an identity and common ground, to ingratiate themselves with others, and for protection. As tensions increase, violent behaviour is not uncommon. Interestingly, however, many young people state that they carry weapons more as a self defence mechanism than as an offensive weapon. The fear element here is something that needs further attention I think – young people aren’t out to commit violent behaviour, but they fear attack themselves. Perhaps the biggest challenge here must be promoting levels of knowledge and tolerance, rather than hatred and fear, between young people.

Most interestingly and laudably, the NASUWT strongly advocates the use of peer mentoring schemes, working directly with young people involved, to change behaviour, re-educate, and prevent further involvement in undesirable activities.

For years Beatbullying has been lobbying the Government to introduce peer mentoring programmes in all schools, to tackle bullying and inappropriate behaviour.  We therefore welcome the NASUWT’s findings and fully agree with their recommendation of peer mentoring schemes. The Government has recently funded a pilot peer mentoring scheme in schools, but this means that the majority of pupils will have to wait three years for peer mentoring in their school.

The NASUWT findings are simply a further indication that we need these schemes in all schools now. Beatbullying’s Peer Mentoring programme is proven to reduce bullying and have a direct impact on behaviour. All schools need peer mentoring programmes, and with Government spending on education at an all time high, it’s time that funding was given to peer mentoring schemes so that every young person has access to it, and we can effectively tackle these issues that concern young people the most.

Comments

[Tazia Doll]

The NASUWT need to concentrate on getting rid of the sex offenders in their own ranks before offering advice to anybody else.

Their first so-called false allegation was a lady teacher who dealt with her boy pupils whilst naked and drunk and the last one was kicked out of court by a Lord Chief Justice.

They shouldn't be allowed near children, they opposed the PoCA and SOA 2003, their members are having sex with kids from one end of the country to the other.

[Junk Code]

They are now campaigning for the decriminalization of teacher/pupil sex, the only gang the kids should be worried about is the NASUWT.