The aim of this policy therefore is two fold:
(A) To aid the development of an
environment which views bullying as unacceptable behaviour.
(B) To explain clearly the procedure
to be implemented should bullying occur.
All staff are asked to be familiar
with the Departmental Guidelines on Bullying and the ISPCC Booklet entitled
"Stop Bullying"
The following are unacceptable
forms of behaviour from staff of the school:
1.
Using scarcasam, insulting or demeaning forms of
language, making negative comments about a pupil's appearance or background.
2.
Humiliating directly or indirectly a pupil who is
particularly academically weak, outstanding or vulnerable.
3.
Using any gesture or expression of a threatening
or intimidatory nature, or any form of degrading physical contact or exercise.
The Chapter "What Ifs pg 8-
13 of "Kidscape Stop Bullying" should be covered by all classes from
1st. to 6th.
Each class, each year, should discuss
bullying and include the following points:
1.
Bullying is not tolerated in the school and everyone
is expected to ensure that it does not happen.
2.
What we as teachers expect from children who break
rules, and what other children expect of them.
3.
Everyone is responsible if anyone is being bullied;
there are no innocent bystanders.
4.
Reporting Bullying is not telling tales.
Each class should draw up rules
for behaviour, and possible solutions or punishment.
Each class should discuss the playground
rules.
1. Dealing with bullying
in role-play situations devised so that pupils learn to cope better with bullies
and bullies can see things from the victims perspective.
2. Activities should
be designed to improve the social skills of victims, and to show bullies that
they can satisfy their needs through working with others rather than in confrontational
ways.
3. Each class should
have systems of positive motivation and recognition.
4. Bullying should be
dealt with in a cross curricular way, through comhra, conversation, Social Studies,
R.E., Drama, P.E. and Stay Safe.
The behaviour of pupils in specific areas can lead more easily to bullying
and consequently teachers are asked to:
1. Abide by school policy
with regard to playground supervision, supervision at home time, and discipline
within the school.
2. Ensure that children
are properly supervised in the cloakroom, and that not more than one child is
absent from the class at any one time, toilet, message etc.
Teachers are asked to:
1. To be aware of glances,
looks and sniggers, which may be a subtle form of bullying.
2. To create an ethos
within the class which encourages children to disclose and discuss incidents
of bullying.
3. To be conscious of
group dynamics when assigning places in class.
Parents have a crucial role both in the discipline and in the overall welfare
of their children. The school staff expects the following of parents:
1. To take an active interest in the school life of
your child.
2. To report any sign
of school related distress in your child to the child's teacher.
3. To co operate with
the staff of the school in the important matter of discipline.
1. All reports of bullying
should be noted by the class teacher.
2. Serious cases i.e.
cases which are more than a "once off" or cases which cause undue
distress to the victim should be referred immediately to the Principal.
3. The Principal will:
4. After any serious incident of bullying that has
been dealt with the teacher involved, if it is class related, or the whole staff,
if it occurs within the wider school environment, shall continue to monitor
the behaviour of the bully and the victim.
The Principal shall contact the parents of the victim to ensure that the
problem is fully resolved.
It is the duty of all involved in the school, principal, teachers, parents, management, pupils and other staff that we create a school climate which encourages respect, trust, caring, consideration and support for others. It is essential therefore that we address positively and firmly the issue of bullying, and follow strictly the guidelines and school policy