No need to shout

SSH! Don’t tell a soul!

Rawthorpe Junior School has something new to shout – sorry – whisper about.

It is possibly the first school in Kirklees to go “Shout Free” and children and staff are already reaping the benefits of a quieter learning environment.

The idea, for neither children nor staff to raise their voices, was placed on a slip of paper in the school’s suggestion box two weeks ago.

And the 16-strong School Council discussed it at it’s last meeting and decided to go-ahead with this novel idea as part of it’s preparations for national Anti-Bullying Week which starts today.

“Shouting causes stress and makes children and adults feel angry and upset,” said one school council member.

“You can’t think properly and it closes down your thinking process,” said another.

One boy added that Rawthorpe had not been a very “shouty” school in the past, but the new policy was reminding everyone to keep their voices low.

Posters inside and outside classrooms are helping remind children and staff not to raise their voices.

And anyone who does forget is reminded using a hand gesture and the words “calm down”.

Even during playtimes, everyone has to adhere to the rule although lesson times are most important.

One of the school’s mascots Coco bear proudly displays the school’s “Shout-Free” message in reception.

And a competition is running in school to design a poster with the “Shout-Free” message.

Council members spoke enthusiastically about the Anti-Bullying message.

“Bullies think they are tough, but they are really very weak. It’s only peer pressure which makes them do these things,” said one.

“Bullying can make children scared and not want to come to school, but we are a friendly school and want everyone to be friends,” said another.

Deputy headteacher Brian Williams said: “It is a massive benefit to the school and central to it’s whole ethos.

“We talk a lot to the children about dignity and respect and they have rewarded us with much of the same during this initiative. This is a lovely school and we aim to make it even better.”