WHAT IS BULLYING?
By far the most common forms of bullying are:
EMOTIONAL BULLYING
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Not speaking to someone
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Ridiculing
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Tormenting
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Humiliating
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VERBAL BULLYING
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Persistent teasing
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Sarcasm
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Threats
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Spreading rumours
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Other less common forms of bullying are:
PHYSICAL BULLYING
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Pushing
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Kicking
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Hitting
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Any other forms of violence
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RACIST BULLYING
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Gestures
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Comments
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Graffiti
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SEXUAL BULLYING
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Unwanted physical contact
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Suggestive comments
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ADVICE
Look out for:
- Fear of travelling to or from school.
- Child being anxious or withdrawn.
- Poor attendance.
- Loss of books, jotters, school bags, other belongings.
- Underachievement.
- Unexplained bruises, scratches, torn clothes.
- Truancy.
Encourage your child to talk about what has been happening. Ask questions sensitively and tell your child that he/she has done the right thing by talking about the situation.
Make a note of dates, times and places.
Contact the school immediately if you think your child is being bullied.
PROCEDURE
The Sgoil nan Loch Prevention of Bullying Policy uses the ‘no blame’ approach (this means that the facts will be sought before action is taken.). In the first instance, HT/DHT will interview pupils.
The procedure works as follows:
1)The person who is being bullied is interviewed.
2)Any witnesses are interviewed.
3)The person or persons suspected of bullying are interviewed:
- The problem is explained as fact, not accusation.
- The person(s) suspected of bullying has it stressed to them that it is their responsibility to change.
- The person(s) suspected of bullying are asked for solutions to improve the situation.
- A review meeting is arranged for the following week.
4)A review meeting is held with the person(s) suspected of bullying.
Informing parents & staff – parents of all concerned will be informed of bullying incidents, by telephone. Staff will be informed of any bullying incidents.
If the bullying continues, then the following sanctions may be imposed. The nature or seriousness of the bullying will determine which of the sanctions will be employed.
SANCTIONS
Detention – the pupil is supervised at breaks and given school work to complete. This should involve reflection on the bully’s own behaviour and consequences, rather than lines.
If behaviour still does not improve, then the Head Teacher will initiate the next steps.
Meeting with parents – if the bullying persists, then parents will be invited to the school to discuss future action
Outside agencies – This is an extremely serious step, and further action, may be considered by the Police or Social Services.
Temporary exclusion – the pupil is excluded from the school for a set period of time.
Permanent Exclusion – the pupil is permanently excluded from the school.
