Laugharne VCP is a KiVa School, what does that mean?
Following survey feedback, as a school we recognised we needed to develop everyone’s understanding of what bullying actually is and find a structured and consistent approach to dealing with bullying. This led to us actively seeking out a more robust, proven and effective system… the KiVa approach to tackling bullying.
So, what is KiVa?
KiVa is a research- and evidence-based anti-bullying programme, the goal of which is to prevent bullying and to tackle any cases of bullying effectively. Underpinned by decades of extensive research of bullying and its mechanisms, KiVa is based on three main elements: prevention, intervention and monitoring.
How what does that look like in school?
Prevention: to keep bullying from happening
KiVa features across our school, with a particular focus in Progression Step 3 where the KiVa curriculum is taught, with a focus on preventing bullying. Student lessons and online games are used to form the backbone of KiVa.
Intervention: tools to tackle bullying
The interventive actions in KiVa are targeted specifically to the children and who have been involved in bullying. The goal is to provide pupils with solution-focused tools on how to put an end to bullying.
Monitoring: Both Annual and following specific incidents
Incidents of suspected bullying are dealt with in a systematic way, following a set procedure to ensure effectiveness. The flowchart shown provides an overview of the process. Monitoring is essential to ensure incidents are dealt with effectively and do not reoccur.
KiVa also offers tools to monitor the situation in the schools through annual online surveys for both pupils and staff. This feedback provides us with information on how to improve our anti-bullying work.
How else does KiVa feature in school?
Each year children from Year 5 and 6 are invited to apply for the role of KiVa champion. If successful, they are trained to assist children at break and lunch times as part of our KiVa champions team. They run games and activities, as well as being a point of contact for children who may need a little support at these times. Our KiVa champions are trained to help and to know how to seek help!
Along with KiVa assemblies, KiVa displays and ongoing KiVa monitoring, the aim is to keep KiVa at the heart of our approach to tackling bullying.
KiVa compliments and indeed is integral to our school anti-bullying policy, detailed below.
A parents guide and a link to the KiVa website is below.
KiVa is an anti-bullying programme | KiVa Antibullying Program | Just another KiVa Koulu site
“KiVa and KiVa (logo) are Registered Trademarks by University of Turku in European Union and certain other countries. Early Intervention Wales Training Ltd, Bangor University is The Official UK License Partner of University of Turku.”