Staff at Forehill Primary School in Ayr have introduced a new discipline policy, Friendship Stops and Playground Friends into the playground at their school, to make sure that there is always fair play in the playground.

The school carried out an internal review of activities in the playground and decided that the time was right to up date them, and introduce some new ideas to the children.

A job description was created for the post of Playground Friend and primary seven pupils were invited to apply for the position. Each applicant was interviewed and had to explain why they wanted to be a Playground Friend. Successful applicants were given a distinctive yellow baseball cap to wear when on duty so that other pupils can easily identify them.

Vice Convener of South Ayrshire Council's Lifelong Learning Committee, Councillor Gerry Crawley and Councillor Mary Kilpatrick, a member of the School Board visited the school to see the new scheme in action.

After talking to the children and staff about the changes in the playground Councillor Crawley said: "The children all seem very keen for everyone to enjoy themselves when they are playing. The playground rules let every child know what is and what is not acceptable behaviour, and what the consequences of not sticking to the rules will be. The children are taking more responsibility for their own actions, and for those of their peers.

"Friendship Stops have been created in various parts of the playgrounds. The idea is that if a child is feeling lonely or left out they will go to the stop. The Playground Friends will see them, and encourage them to join in with a group and have some fun. Every week the Classroom Assistants and the Playground Friends will teach a new playground game to the children, put out playground equipment and help to keep the playground tidy.

The playground rules which are displayed in the school are:

• We are gentle
• We are kind and helpful
• We play well with others
• We care for the playground and playground games
• We listen
• We are honest
• We don't hurt others
• We don't hurt anybody's feelings
• We don't spoil other's games
• We don't damage or spoil anything
• We don't interrupt or answer back
• We don't cover up the truth

A set of 'playground consequences' has been introduced so that the children know what course of action will be taken if they do not obey the rules. The 'playground consequences' progress according to the nature of the incident, and the number of times that a child has acted inappropriately. Every day in the playground is a new start for the children, so any previous warnings on other days are not taken into consideration. The 'playground consequences' are:

• Verbal warning
• Written warning
• Written warning and time out
• Written warning and miss next day's playtime
• Written warning and letter home
• Written warning and Head Teacher will call parents or guardians

November 2005