Approaches to Reduce Bullying

National Pyramid Trust

Helping Primary School Children to Fulfil their Potential in School and in Life by Building their Self-Esteem and Resilience

The National Pyramid Trust for children helps primary school aged children to fulfil their potential in school and in life by building their self-esteem and resilience.

The Trust has developed an approach with proven benefits for primary school aged children. The project is run by a locally managed Pyramid Scheme, which employs a local Pyramid Co-ordinator to make it all happen.

AIM:
To reach as many children as possible and to establish, for every child, a routine check of their emotional health needs so that difficulties can be tackled early and effectively.

Pyramid Schemes are now working in over 40 authorities and more than 300 schools throughout the UK.

The Pyramid System

The national Pyramid Trust for children offers a cost-effective, easy to operate system of prevention in primary schools. The three stages are:

A ROUTINE CHECK OF NEED

all children in one primary school year (normally Year 3) have their emotional or social needs assessed using a simple checklist. this helps ensure that quieter, more withdrawn children are not overlooked.

MULTI-DISIPLINARY CONSULTATION

A wide range of people from different disiplines share information and ensure that appropriate help is provided for every child considered a cause for concern.

PYRAMID CLUBS

Selected children are offered the chance to attend a Pyramid Club, taking into account their particular needs and the dynamics of the group. Experience and research have shown that children who are having difficulties becasue of low self-esteem and lack of confidence can benefit from the opportunity of belonging to a short-term therapeutic activity group. Pyramid Clubs offer a safe space for children where they can be heard, have fun, learn new skills and be supported to develop positive relationships. Club leaders are carefully selected and trained to develop children's confidence and generate enthusiasm.

Friendships and Fun

Pyramid Clubs are fun clubs where children may take part in activities, including arts and crafts, cooking and games and sometimes an outing.

The activities are designed to increase children's self-confidence, help them make friends and talk and listen to one another. Children are encouraged to come up with their own ideas about what they would like to do.

Each club is run by a minimum of 3 leaders, normally volunteers, who get special training. Club leaders are checked using police and other sources. A member of school staff is on the premises at all times during the club.

It works!!

Independent evaluation shows that the Pyramid system builds children's self-esteem and develops their social skills. It helps children become happer and less withdrawn and therefore more able to learn.

What Does the Trust Offer?

The Trust has helped thousands of children through the Pyramid system of checking emotional health needs and the Pyramid Clubs. based on many years of experience and on its evaluation studies, the national Pyramid trust for children offers advice and guidance in setting up a scheme and in ensuring that it is successful.

HELP IN SETTING UP A SCHEME

Identifying a lead agency to take the work forward
Establishing a steering group from statutory and voluntary agencies, and being a member of it
Assisting with recruitment of local co-ordinators
Providing induction training for co-ordinator
Providing advice on funding sources
help and training for co-ordinators delivering volunteer training

ENSURING SUCCESS

Providing technical advice for local co-ordinators if problems arise in practice
Offering updated practice materials based on new evidence and experience
Giving assistance with development and extension plans
keeping schemes informed through training, regular forums, newsletters and reports

PROVIDING QUALITY ASSURANCE STANDARDS AND MONITORING SUPPORT

A Pyramid Scheme Handbook is provided to Pyramid Schemes. Topics covered include involving parents, recruitment and management of volunteers, evaluation and running a successful club
The Trust are continually working to ensure services are provided in a way which recognises and responds to equality and diversity issues, including training with specific reference to Pyramid schemes
The service agreement signed with the National pyramid trust for children includes an agreement to use the Quality Assurance process developed by NPT
Assistance is provided with evaluating the effectiveness for children and schools
Volunteer training is supported by a Pyramid Club leaders training manual. training for trainers sessions are also offered for co-ordinators.

Meeting Your Needs

Whether you are responsible for behaviour support, health promotion, child and adolescent mental health, special educational needs, Children's Fund partnerships, Early years Development Partnerships, area based initiatives, pupil support, Healthy Schools, children in need, organising placements for students on relevant courses of study, or promoting volunteering, the Pyramid model could be of significant help to you.

The National pyramid trust for children is committed to working in partnership and across agency boundaries as this is the best way to meet the emotional health needs of children.

Contact:

If you are interested in discussing the Pyramid model in more detail please contact:

The National Pyramid Trust for children
84 Uxbridge Road
London
W13 8RA

Tel/ Fax: 020 8579 5108

E-mail: enquiries@nptrust.org.uk

www.nptrust.org.uk

The National Pyramid Trust in Leicestershire

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Thanks to The National Pyramid Trust for allowing us to reproduce information that is contained in their selection of published leaflets.

Buidling Confidence and Self-Esteem
A Guide to Our Work
Building Your Child's Self-Esteem - Ideas for Parents

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