An approach to dealing with bullying which does not involve blame and punishment reduces incidents in primary schools, a study involving Oxford University has found.

The year-long trial of the Finnish Kiusaamista Vastaan, or KiVa, programme, which translates to against bullying, involved more than 11,000 pupils from more than 100 primary schools in England and Wales.

The study found the programme "significantly" reduced incidents of bullying, with the schools that implemented it reporting a 13 per cent decrease in bullying compared to schools using standard procedures.

They also reported children were more empathetic towards victims and children’s problems with their peers were reduced.

The study, the largest of its kind in the UK, also showed the programme's effectiveness across all socio-economically diverse schools, from small rural schools to large urban ones.

Of the 118 schools involved, half adopted the KiVa programme while the other half continued standard practice.

The schools that adopted KiVa set up fortnightly lessons for pupils focused on recognising and responding to bullying, and helping to support victims.

There were also whole-school assemblies on bullying, poster campaigns, and information for parents, while teachers supervising break times wore high-visibility vests.

Rather than the traditional response of blame and punishment for the bully, the schools had individual discussions with the children involved and made sure the bullying pupil committed to clear actions to support the victim.

Lucy Bowes, professor of psychopathology at the University of Oxford's Department of Experimental Psychology, said: "Being bullied may have devastating consequences for children and young people, including increasing the risk of mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression, as well as poor school outcomes.

"This means that any improvement is worthwhile and even small percentage changes can have a substantial impact for those individual children and will cumulatively improve the situation in the school over time."

The project was led by Bangor University in conjunction with the Universities of Exeter, Oxford, Warwick, and Birmingham.

The trial was managed by the Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University, while the Children’s Early Intervention Trust charity organised intervention costs, school training, and implementation.

Professor Judy Hutchings, from the Centre for Evidence Based Early Intervention at Bangor University, said: "Bullying in childhood is one of the biggest risk factors for later mental health problems in childhood, adolescence, and beyond.

"Unfortunately, it is widespread in UK schools; and while all schools are required to have a bullying policy, it’s rarely evidence-based.

"The KiVa ‘whole school’ approach has had really significant effects on bullying in other countries because it focuses on everyone’s behaviour, and removes the social rewards usually gained by the perpetrators."