Anti-Bullying Commitment at

Ysgol Bryn Gwalia with KiVa

 

At Ysgol Bryn Gwalia, we are dedicated to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all of our students. To support this commitment, we use the KiVa Anti-Bullying Programme, a leading, research-based initiative designed to prevent bullying and provide effective interventions when incidents occur. Developed in Finland, KiVa is a whole-school approach to combating bullying, focusing on teaching children to recognise bullying behaviours, support their peers, and foster a positive, compassionate school culture.

What is KiVa and What are the Benefits?

KiVa is a proven anti-bullying programme that empowers both students and staff to recognize, prevent, and address bullying effectively. It uses a blend of classroom lessons, engaging activities, and a monitoring system to address bullying at multiple levels. KiVa emphasises empathy, social skills, and community responsibility, equipping students with the knowledge and confidence to act against bullying when they see it. The benefits of KiVa are substantial:

 

 

Reduced Bullying Incidents

KiVa’s structured programme has been shown to significantly decrease bullying in schools, making Ysgol Bryn Gwalia a safer place for all.

Improved Peer Relationships

 By teaching empathy and teamwork, KiVa helps students build positive, supportive relationships with each other.

Enhanced School Climate

The whole-school approach fosters a respectful, inclusive environment where every child feels valued and connected.

Student Empowerment

 KiVa equips children to stand up against bullying in constructive ways, making them active participants in creating a positive school culture.

 

 Our School's Commitment to KiVa

At Ysgol Bryn Gwalia, we are fully committed to the principles of KiVa and work to create a supportive, inclusive environment where every student can thrive. Our staff are trained to lead KiVa lessons, provide guidance, and ensure that anti-bullying strategies are consistently implemented throughout the school. We believe that bullying has no place in our school community, and we are dedicated to using evidence-based methods like KiVa to prevent and address it. By embedding KiVa principles in our daily routines, we aim to give every student the confidence and support to feel safe and valued.

Sharing Our Expertise with Others

Our commitment to the KiVa programme has earned us recognition beyond the school. Mrs. Dalton, our Head Teacher, and Mrs. Wyatt, our Family Liaison Officer, have shared their experience and insights on the impact of KiVa in combating bullying with a range of educational practitioners. They have presented their work at Bangor University and, more recently, to experts from around the world at The Royal Society of Medicine in London. Their presentations have highlighted the success and importance of implementing KiVa to build safe, supportive school environments, and we are proud of their contribution to this important work on a global scale.

 

Celebrating Upstanders with KiVa at Ysgol Bryn Gwalia

As part of our dedication to fostering a caring and inclusive environment, each week at Ysgol Bryn Gwalia we recognize one student who has demonstrated exceptional kindness and courage by standing up against bullying. This student, known as an "Upstander," receives the KiVa Upstander of the Week award. Students are encouraged to notice and appreciate acts of kindness and bravery among their peers. Throughout the week, they can nominate upstanders by writing the name of the person and describing their positive actions on a leaf, which is then added to our KiVa Tree and displayed proudly in our corridor.

Each week, the chosen Upstander becomes a KiVa Kid, a special role where they help support others during break times, promoting positive behaviour and empathy in the playground. This award not only celebrates the student’s courage but also links to our financial education programme, as the weekly winner receives a 10p stamp, helping them understand the value of saving and financial responsibility.

By encouraging students to recognise and celebrate each other’s positive actions, our KiVa Upstander of the Week award strengthens our school’s commitment to kindness, respect, and standing up for what’s right. This initiative empowers all children to contribute to a safe, supportive environment where every student feels valued and understood.