The Edinbarnet Playground Project: Changing Aggressive Behaviour Through Structured Intervention

Summary Multiple referrals of children with serious behaviour problems were being made to the psychological service by a Scottish primary school in an area of multiple social disadvantage. Since analysis showed that aggressive behaviour in the playground was the main concern, the school was asked to select 12 of the most aggressive pupils as subjects for a structured intervention. Small groups were run weekly by a class teacher working with an experienced groupworker. The intervention led to significant changes not only for the children selected but in overall school ethos and in the school's view of the role of the educational psychologist.