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DENMARK - "MONITORING SCHOOL"

1. Information on the school

» Kind of school: Public primary and lower secondary school (6-16 years old)

» Number of pupils: 500      Number of teachers: 45

» Specific School Educational Policies concerning equal opportunities:

The school has no explicit policy on equal opportunities but under obligation to observe the law on primary and lower secondary school, the Law on Education Environment 1st August 2001 and the law of prohibition against discrimination.

» Social characteristics of environment

The school is situated in a provincial town of approximately 20,000 inhabitants. The school district is situated in an area surrounded by old detached houses. The school is divided up into 25 classes from 0th to 9th corresponding to 6 to 15 years of age. The quotient of classes is approximately 20 pupils

2. Reasons for the actvity

» Why did the activity begin?

In the year 2000 the school had some internal problems with bullying in a specific class. At the same time the Ministry of Education began to highlight the environment of education, including bullying. As a response to this, the National Council for Children developed a questionnaire and a description of a method that aimed to monitor bullying and the teaching environment. This questionnaire and the method were introduced in the school by the headteacher.

» What was the aim of the activity?

The aim was to focus on and monitor the teaching environment and then take initiatives to improve the situation.

» Types of discrimination worked on

In principle bullying can include all types of discrimination.

3. Development of the activity

» The activity is directed at: Pupils

» Who managed the activity: Teachers

All teachers had responsibility to ensure that the pupils in their class completed the questionnaires and that the classes discussed the results of the investigation afterwards.

The teachers were also required to take part in a questionnaire focusing on classroom behaviour. As a result of this process, a special team of teachers were established to help teachers with any problems that might materialise.

» Date and duration of development of activity:

Initiated in 2001 and now routinely carried out once a year.

» Methodology and Strategies

  • All pupils respond to a questionnaire concerning the teaching environment with a special focus on bullying.
  • Teachers respond to a questionnaire concerning behaviour in the classroom.
  • The parents were asked to discuss and comment on the issues raised.
  • The results were discussed and plans for intervention made if the environment was not found satisfying.

4. Results

» What has improved as a result of this activity?

  • Teaching environment
  • Behaviour - monitoring in itself can help change behaviour.
» Variables that have facilitated or hindered the success of the activity

  • The Law on Education Environment 1st August 2001
  • The Danish Centre of Education Environment
  • The National Council for Children
  • The headteacher at the school.
  • Involvement of all teachers.