Definition of Bullying

Aims of Policy:

To promote a climate of positive regard for others within the school community as a whole, by;

Encouraging respect and empathy in all interactions.

Implementing the educational and preventative measures outlined in this document.

To provide a framework of procedures to be followed in the event of a bullying incident/disclosure.

Guidelines

(1) Preventative measures:

All members of Lusk N.S. shall attempt to prevent bullying incidents by;

  • Emphasising the unacceptability of bullying
  • Discussing all aspects of bullying with the children, formally through the S.P.H.E. education programme and informally as the subject arises;
  • Promoting the disclosure of bullying incident by victims and third party witnesses to the appropriate authorities.
  • Emphasising that the perpetrator of the bullying incident is equally a victim, requiring appropriate support within the school system.

(2) Bullying can be divided into the following categories;

  • Physical---hitting, punching, tripping, spitting, kicking, pushing, scratching, damaging property or possession, stealing, throwing objects at some, performing humiliating acts on someone, hiding or taking belongings.
  • Social/emotional---spreading rumours/nasty stories about someone; making fun of someone; excluding from groups; ignoring, ostracising or alienating.
  • Verbal --- name-calling; making offensive remarks; insulting someone such as negative comment about a person’s appearance, clothing actions etc.; taunts, teasing or threats
  • Intimidation--- playing dirty tricks; defacing or takin possessions; threatening looks or gestures; intimidating or threatening phone calls, e-mails, messages notes, text messages; extortion; threats of aggression against people, property or possessions.
  • Discrimination--- ethnic slurs, racism, slurs against children with special needs.
  • Criminal--- threatening with a weapon, sexual assault, physical assault, stealing property, vandalism.

(3) Signs and symptoms of a person being bullied:

Children may:

  • Be frightened of walking to and from school/be unwilling to go to school/beg you to drive them to school/change their route to school.
  • Develop headaches/stomach aches/bowel disorders
  • Show deterioration in educational attainment, loss of concentration, loss of interest and enthusiasm in school
  • Become withdrawn start stammering
  • Become distressed, stop eating
  • Cry themselves to sleep, start bedwetting. Show unexplained changes in mood or behaviour, e.g. clinging, attention seeking, aggressive behaviour towards siblings parents
  • Show visible signs of anxiety or distress--- refusing to say what is wrong
  • Have; unexplained bruising or cuts; damaged clothing or possessions; loss of possessions
  • Increase requests for pocket money/steal money
  • Give improbable excuses to explain any of the above
  • Attempt suicide

(4) Reporting, Investigating and Resolving Procedures

Reporting:

An incident, in most cases is reported by (a) a child/other pupils (b) parents/guardian (c) staff member and should be directed firstly to the class teacher.

In any incident of bullying, the teacher should speak with sensitivity and confidentiality:

  1. To both parties separately, in an attempt to get both sides of the story
  2. Interview witnesses/third parties where appropriate ---- a written account by pupils is often informative
  3. Both parties may then be brought together with a view to each hearing the others opinion of the situation
  4. An attempt should be made to get the bully to see the situation from the victim’s point of view
  5. Keep a written report of the discussion and investigation. The Incident Report in appendix 2 should be completed and returned to the school Principal.
  6. Arrange follow-up meetings with the two parties involved, separately, to ensure non-continuance of the bullying incident.
  7. If the bullying incident is not resolved at class level:
    • The post holder with responsibility for behaviour/ principal should be involved
    • The parents of the perpetrator/s and or the victim/s, shall be requested to attend a meeting in the school with the teacher and principal. The purpose of this meeting is to seek a solution to the behavioural problem with all involved parties working together.
    • If the misbehaviour continues, the Board of Management may become involved, with a view to suspension/expulsion. Sanctions imposed will follow the guidelines as laid down in Lusk National School Policy on discipline/Behaviour.
    • If there is a complete denial of involvement by the alleged perpetrators, vigorously supported by parents, the Board of Management shall refer the case to the Department of Education and science.

Roles and Responsibilities

Roles of the Board of Management

It is the responsibility of the Board of Management of Lusk N.S. to:

  • Ensure staff are familiar with the current Anti-Bullying policy, and follow procedures there/in
  • Promote training for teachers and ensure they have a good working knowledge of bullying issues and procedures
  • Have clear written procedures in place to be taken in the event of a bullying disclosure
  • Provide information to parents on the topic of bullying on a regular basis i.e. Information Discussion Night

Role of Teachers

  1. Parents should be familiar with all aspects of bullying behaviour, including signs and symptoms of a victim/perpetrator (see appendix 1 for information on "Why people bully " and "Why people are bullied ")
  2. Parents can help by encouraging their child/children to disclose incidents of bullying behaviour
  3. Parents should bring to the attention of the school any incident of bullying disclosed to them by their child/children

Role of Pupils

  1. Pupils have a responsibility to treat each other with respect
  2. Pupils have a responsibility to their fellow pupils to disclose any incident of bullying behaviour to the class teacher, parent or any other member of the school staff

Timeframe, Implementation and Review

Implementation of this policy shall be the responsibility of all members of the whole school community.

Co-ordination and Review of the policy, acceptance of feedback, updating and evaluation, shall be the responsibility of the policy co-ordinator. This policy will be reviewed in the school year 2009-2010.

This policy has been ratified by the Board of Management of Lusk N.S. and shall be communicated to all members of the whole school community.

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Chairperson

Board of Management

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Principal