Dublin secondary schools invited to join an initiative that combats bullying

Dublin secondary schools are being invited to join a programme that combats bullying by teaching empathy and communication skills.

The Narrative 4 programme is an evidence-based teaching method that encourages positive relationships in the classroom between students and staff.

80 secondary schools across the country took part in a pilot in the last year including Hartstown Community School, Dublin 15.

The school excelled in the pilot and is one of 10 schools to date to earn a bronze Empathy School Award.

Orlagh Duke of Hartstown Community School said “The Narrative 4 Empathy Award has been a wonderful experience for Hartstown Community School.

“Our students enjoyed taking part in both the story exchange and the Walk and Talk.

“In our school, we value the happiness of our students.

“We believe that the holistic development of our students is paramount, and this programme promotes relationship building, inclusion and care.

“These factors contribute to an effective learning environment in our classrooms as well as a school culture which promotes student wellbeing.”

Hartstown Community School students and staff took part in training and programmes such as the story exchange, a process where students had to retell personal stories of their classmates in order to understand a different point of view and a 4km Walk and Talk.

Rachel Gleeson, Programme Manager at Narrative 4 said “ Numerous studies in the US and Ireland have shown the benefits of Narrative 4.

“The programme cultivates vital life skills in young people. It increases awareness of diversity, improves social skills, and gives young people a sense of belonging and connection.

“Researchers from Yale University found that schools who implemented the Narrative 4 programme in the USA had less recorded incidents of bullying”.

“Schools can get involved by taking part in CPD training.

“The training is currently free for DEIS teachers as the Irish Youth Foundation has funded free places.”

Narrative 4 was co-founded in 2012 by New York-based Irish author Colum McCann, who went on to bring it to Ireland in 2016.

Narrative 4 has won several awards and praise from students, parents, teachers and beyond.

Narrative 4 has received recognition and support from organisations such as Rethink Ireland, the JP McManus Fund, the Ireland Funds, and Creative Ireland.

Rachel Gleeson says:

“I hope more schools in Dublin get involved with the programme.

“Narrative 4 creates space for young people to connect and share their own stories and those of their classmates and others.

“This helps them to see the world from another’s perspective and so that they can understand themselves and other people better”