S6 pupils, Jamie Shaw and Connor McGinn, recently made a presentation to the NLC Education Committee about the philosophy behind the Mentors in Violence Prevention Programme (MVP).

MVP is designed to train students to speak out against bullying and all forms of violent and abusive behaviour. It focuses on an innovative ‘bystander’ approach that empowers each student to take an active role in promoting a positive school climate. Within the MVP Programme young people are identified not as victims or perpetrators but as empowered bystanders able to support and even challenge abusive and bullying peers.