Minimising Bullying Policy

Rationale

Bullying in Langloan Primary School and Nursery Class can only be effectively dealt with if parents, staff and pupils work together to find a solution.  Bullying does exist and is a problem in all schools.  It must be given a high profile within the school, where an open, caring and responsive climate should be created.

Aims

• to develop an awareness that bullying is unacceptable.
• to develop a shared view of bullying.
• to work in partnership with parents to minimise bullying.
• to encourage an open climate where concerns are heard.
• to develop a range of strategies to deal with bullying.
• to develop a sense of shared responsibility within the school community.

What is Bullying?

It is a deliberate act where a person is wilful and has a conscious desire to hurt, threaten or frighten someone else.

• Verbal:  being called nasty names/nasty comments.
• Social:   being left out of things/ no one talking to you.
• Material:   possessions stolen/ property damaged.
• Physical:   being assaulted.

Role of the Management Team

To work with the staff to create a caring and supportive ethos throughout the whole school by:

• fostering a whole school approach to bullying.
• promoting partnership between home and school.
• supporting staff in their efforts to deal with bullying.
• ensuring that both victim and bully are counselled and supported.
• applying sanctions where necessary.

Role of the Staff

To support the children by:

• raising awareness of bullying and its effects on a regular basis through the curriculum.
• fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect.
• being aware of and defusing potential situations before they escalate.
• encouraging witnesses to report bullying incidents.
• taking reports of bullying seriously.
• taking action where necessary.
• reporting serious or persistent problems to the Management Team.

Role of the Parent

Parents’ should support their child/children by:

• letting you child know you are pleased to be told about the incident(s)
• reporting repeated or serious incidents to the school.
• co-operating with the school by allowing us sufficient time to deal with the matter; bullying can be complex and difficult to solve.

School Procedures for Dealing with Bullying

• investigate incident.
• support the victim and counsel the bully.
• report incidents of a more serious or persistent nature to the Management Team.
• involve parents’ where necessary and work in pertnership to resolve the situation.
• sanctions will be applied by the Management Team if necessary.
• in extreme cases where no satisfactory outcome can be reached at school level, the authority can be involved.

Strategies for Children

Pupils should try to:

• avoid worrying.
• keep in control.
• stay calm.
• look confident.
• stay with friends.
• pretend they don’t care.
• most importantly tell someone- a friend, janitor, teacher or parent.
• if you keep it a secret you are protecting the bully and saying it is o.k to treat you as he/she is doing.

Pupils should not:

• blame themselves.
• think like a victim.
• put themselves at risk.
• show they are upset.

No Hitting Policy

Why should I not hit back if someone hits me?

• it can make the situation worse.
• someone could get injured.
• it can make it difficult to find out who is at fault.
• it encourages violence.
• it undermines all efforts to develop self control.