Violence in School: What Can We Do?

Abstract

A common disruption to learning and stability in schools occurs when pupils fight or become aggressive. This paper considers the issues of anger management, violence control and fighting reduction through a counselling programme with a high-risk pupil in secondary school. It begins by examining some of the thinking on young people and violence and aggression. Then, the author considers the place of counselling in schools in relation to this issue. Interventions for the practitioner to consider are discussed, including how to make a clear diagnosis of the nature of violence for the particular youngster, an analysis of anger-triggers and an ambitious attempt to modify a belief-system that holds that ‘might is right’. The author argues that occasional incidents of violent disruption are a reality in education, and while media reporting exaggerates the problem, schools need more imaginative strategies with the few targeted individuals than exclusion from school.

Keywords:

• aggression
• violent incidents
• anger management
• secondary schools
• interventions

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dennis Lines

School Counsellor