Elliott devised the 'bully court', a forum in which bullies are tried and sentenced by their peers. Her survey of 4,000 children found that 38 per cent were being regularly bullied' Two of the court's four members are elected by classmates and the other two are appointed by teachers. A teacher sits as chairperson to ensure fair play. Punishments have included bans on school trips and on using playgrounds and tasks such as tidying classrooms. Working on similar principles, a scheme in Birmingham trains children in specialist mediation techniques.
Children find it easier to talk to other children rather than to teachers.
It is cutting down on bullying and as a result there is less trunacy. Parents are saying their children are much better behaved at home. In 1991, four schools recorded an average attendance figure of just over 81 per cent. In the 1993-94 school year the same schools' average attendance had risen to more than 88 per cent after introducing the scheme. You can give a rating to this scheme overall.