Danish school students take on safety roles during recess

Two eighth-grade students at Sankt Birgitta School in Maribo have volunteered as junior yard guards, helping younger pupils navigate conflicts and stay safe during breaks, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

Ellen From Bønnelykke and Caroline Cecilie Tach, both 14, patrol the schoolyard in neon vests, assisting younger children who need help resolving disputes or finding someone to play with. “I chose to become a junior yard guard because you make a positive difference for the little ones,” Bønnelykke said.

The student guards supplement adult supervision, though teachers step in for serious conflicts or injuries. “Last week, three little girls started arguing, and we helped by telling them to talk to their class teacher,” Tach recalled.

School staff say the peer-based approach has proven effective. “The younger children listen well to the older students,” said Helle Frederiksen, an upper-grade teacher who launched the initiative. Margrethe Rasmussen, a department head, noted the program has expanded coverage: “Instead of just two of us in the yard, we now have six, so we can cover a much larger area.”

Originally open to grades 7–9, demand was so high that only eighth and ninth graders currently serve, with seventh graders joining later. Four students rotate shifts during the 20-minute recess, ensuring constant coverage.

Rasmussen called the response overwhelming. “It’s made recess even safer for everyone.”