Who Are the Friendship Force?

The Friendship Force is a team of pupils who help to make playtimes and lunchtimes happy, inclusive and enjoyable for everyone. They play an important role in supporting our school vision of enabling every child to live life in all its fullness and ensuring that everyone feels valued, supported and included.

Members of the Friendship Force can often be found at our Friendly Bus Stop in the playground. If a child is looking for someone to play with, would like help joining a game, or simply needs a friendly chat, the Friendship Force is there to help. They introduce children to new friends, teach playground games and ensure that no one feels left out.

Friendship Force members wear special lanyards and high-visibility jackets while on duty so that they are easy to recognise and approach.

Living Our School Values

The Friendship Force demonstrates our school virtues every day by:

• Respect – treating everyone with kindness, care and consideration.
• Curiosity – encouraging children to try new games and build new friendships.
• Accountability – taking responsibility for helping to create a positive playground environment.
• Resilience – supporting others to overcome difficulties and confidently join in with play.
• Active Citizenship – making a positive difference to our school community through service, compassion and inclusion.

Through their actions, Friendship Force members help to create a playground where everyone feels that they belong.

Becoming a Member

Each September, pupils in Years 2 to 6 are invited to apply to become members of the Friendship Force. Applicants take part in an interview process and, once appointed, receive training from Mrs Lowe.

The training helps pupils to:

• Learn a range of playground games and activities.
• Develop communication and leadership skills.
• Understand how to support children who may be feeling lonely or worried.
• Learn appropriate strategies for helping to resolve minor playground disagreements.
• Model positive behaviour and excellent friendship skills.

What Does Friendship Force Do?

Friendship Force members:

• Help children find friends and games to join.
• Support children who may be feeling lonely or unsure.
• Encourage inclusive play and positive friendships.
• Help children resolve minor playground disagreements.
• Organise and lead games and activities for others to enjoy.
• Gather ideas from pupils about how playtimes can be improved.

The Friendship Force regularly reviews playground provision and works with school staff to suggest improvements. Recent ideas have included relocating and expanding the Friendly Bus Stop area and creating a collection of simple playground games that children can play independently or with just one or two friends.

Working Together to Improve Playtimes

Friendship Force members meet regularly with Mrs Lowe to discuss how the project is progressing and to share ideas for making playtimes even better. They listen to children's views and help shape initiatives that promote friendship, kindness and inclusion throughout the school.

As the programme continues to develop, Friendship Force members will also recognise and celebrate children who demonstrate outstanding friendship and kindness towards others.

Meet Our Friendship Force

We are proud of our Friendship Force and the positive difference they make every day. Their commitment to kindness, service and inclusion helps ensure that St Mary's is a place where everyone feels welcomed, supported and able to flourish.

Look out for us at the Friendly Bus Stop. We look forward to meeting you!