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Policy on Countering Bullying
Objective To prevent bullying.
Aims of the Policy 1. For staff members to share a collegiate responsibility, under the direction of the Principal teacher, to act in preventing bullying/aggressive behaviour by any member of the school. 2. To promote qualities of social responsibility, tolerance and understanding among all its members both in school and out of school. 3. To acknowledge the uniqueness of each individual as his/her worth as a human being. 4. To promote habits of mutual respect, courtesy and an awareness of the interdependence of people in group and community. 5. To co-operate with, and keep parents informed, when necessary, on procedures to improve relationships within the school community. 6. To promote a secure environment in which the members of the school community can enjoy school. 7. To promote positive habits of self-respect, self-discipline and responsibility among its members. 8. To disapprove of vulgar, offensive, sectarian, racist or other aggressive behaviour by any of its members. 9. To promote equity in general and gender equity in particular in all aspects of its functioning. 10. To promote, through aspects of the curriculum, positive and lasting influences towards forming the pupils attitudes and values. 11. To take particular care of at risk pupils and use its monitoring system to provide early intervention when/if necessary and respond to the needs, fears or anxieties of individual members in a sensitive manner. 12. To create an awareness of bullying as a form of unacceptable behaviour with school management, teachers, pupils and parents/guardians.
Procedures for Noting and Reporting an Incident of Bullying Behaviour
1. All reports of
bullying, no matter how trivial, should be noted, investigated and
dealt with by teachers.
2. Serious cases of
bullying behaviour should be referred immediately to the Principal.
3. Parents or
guardians of victims and bullies should be informed by the Principal
earlier rather than later of incidents so that they are given the
opportunity of discussing the matter. They are then in the position
to help and support their children before a crisis occurs.
4. Parents must be
informed of the appropriate staff member to whom they can make their
inquiries regarding incidents of bullying behaviour which they might
suspect or that have come to their attention through their children
or other parents.
5. It should be made
clear to all pupils that when they report incidents of bullying they
are not telling tales but behaving responsibly. 6. Individual teachers in consultation with the appropriate staff member should record and take appropriate measure regarding reports of bullying behaviour in accordance with the school bullying policy and Code of Behaviour and Discipline.
Procedures for Investigating and Dealing with Bullying
1. When analyzing
incidents of bullying behaviour seek answers to questions of what,
where, when, who and why. This should be done in a calm manner,
setting an example in dealing effectively with a conflict in a non-
aggressive manner.
2. If a gang is
involved, each member should be met individually and then the gang
should be met as a group. Each member should be asked for his/her
account of what happened to ensure that everyone is clear about what
everyone else has said.
3. If it is
concluded that a pupil has been engaged in bullying behaviour, it
should be made clear to him/her how he/she is in breach of the Code
of Behaviour and Discipline and try to get him/her to see the
situation from the victim's point of view.
4. Each member of
the gang should be helped to handle the possible pressures that often
face them from the other members after interview by the teacher.
5. Teachers who are
investigating bullying behaviour should keep a written record of
their discussions with those involved. It may also be appropriate to
ask those involved to write down their account of the incident.
6. In cases where it
has been determined that bullying has taken place, the Principal,
where practicable, would meet with the parents or guardians of the
two parties involved. The actions being taken and the reasons for
them, should be explained in reference to the school policy. All
parties should discuss ways in which they can reinforce or support
the actions taken by the school. 7. If appropriate follow-up meetings may be arranged with the two parties involved separately .
Programme for work with victims, bullies and their peers. Pupils involved in bullying behaviour need assistance on an ongoing basis. For those low in self-esteem opportunities should be developed to increase feelings of self-worth. Pupils who engage in bullying may need counselling to help them learn other ways of meeting their needs without violating the rights of others. Victims may need counselling and opportunities to participate in activities designed to raise their self-esteem and to develop their friendship and social skills whenever this is needed. Research indicates that pupils identified as low achievers academically tend to be more frequently involved in bullying behaviour. The learning strategies applied within the school should allow for the enhancement of the pupils' self-worth. Pupils who observe incidents of bullying behaviour should be encouraged to discuss them with teachers. It is known that bullying can occur on the journey to and from school. School traffic wardens and local shopkeepers can be encouraged to play a positive role in assisting schools to counteract bullying behaviour by reporting such behaviour to parents or schools. In certain cases it may be necessary to invite the assistance of other local persons and formed agencies such as doctors, garda health boards with their social workers and community workers. The promotion of relevant home/school/community links is important for the school in regard to countering bullying behaviour and should be encouraged as a normal part of the school's effective operation.
Evaluation of effectiveness of school policy on bullying behaviour The anti-bullying policy should be subject to continuous review, in the light of incidents of bullying behaviour encountered. It could be included as an item on the agenda for staff meetings.
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