Investing in a positive school climate

The Confidentiality Inspectorate’s report indicates that it is always very important to invest in a positive and socially safe school climate in order to prevent these kinds of incidents. Amina Saydali, director of Stichting School & Veiligheid, said the following on the radio program Nieuws en Co: “It is important to continue investing in the foundations and to work toward a safe and positive school climate. Continue to see your students.”

Listen to the interview Amina Saydali gave to Nieuws en Co (from 18:07).

It is important to continuously monitor the dynamics of the group, as this makes it possible to identify issues at an early stage. By noticing early disturbances and addressing minor problems, you can prevent things from getting worse. You do not have to do this alone. Ask your students questions. They often know better than anyone else what is going on in the classroom. Talk to them about it. Encourage and motivate them to report it if something is going on. But identifying issues at an early stage also means picking up on minor signals and making them open to discussion as soon as possible. By discussing these matters, you can prevent bigger ‘problems’.

Also have this conversation with one another as an education team: What behavior is acceptable, and what is not? Where is the boundary? Practice how to respond to this. Make agreements about it together.

The Inspectorate can offer assistance

In its report, the Confidentiality Inspectorate writes that the number of reports of harmful behavior has increased. The reports concern psychological and physical violence, sexual intimidation and sexual abuse. Schools, parents and students can all file reports. By making incidents known, schools enable the Inspectorate to provide assistance to the school board.

Contact the Confidentiality Inspectors

In an article in De Volkskrant, Confidentiality Inspectors Joke Schuur and Jeanette Wolleswinkel explain the report. Schuur says: “Schools have a duty of care, but how this is handled differs greatly from one school to another. We regularly hear that parents do not know that there is a social safety plan or that there is a confidential adviser at school whom they can turn to.” Wolleswinkel: “We try to motivate teachers to discuss this openly: What behavior is permitted, what challenges are you facing, and how do we deal with them? Such conversations do not simply arise by the coffee machine; the school leadership must facilitate them.”

Working on prevention

School & Veiligheid has a great deal of information, knowledge and tools for working toward a socially safe climate, which can help prevent and limit harmful behavior. Here is a small selection of the information available:

To create a socially safe group.

Make agreements with your team about behavior.

How do you encourage sexually respectful behavior?

How do you prevent sexually transgressive behavior?

Difficult behavior in the classroom; prevent physical confrontations

Exercise: dealing with difficult behavior

The School & Veiligheid Advice Center is open every working day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and can be reached at 030-285 6616. In the event of an emergency, the emergency team is available 24 hours a day, every day, via the Advice Center.