You are here Parents Policy on the Prevention & Resolution of Bullying Part 2 - Pupils

2.1 TYPES OF BULLYING

2.1.1 Bullying among Pupils:

Bullying among pupils is a pattern of repeated behaviour, not just an isolated incident, which causes hurt or humiliation to the victim. This is consistent with the general definition of bullying in Part 1 of this Policy.

Types of Bullying

One of the most frequent forms of bullying in school is taunting. It is often difficult to distinguish between the regular banter or 'slagging' that occurs between pupils and taunting which can cause hurt or personal offence. The Board of Management in consideration of this issue offers the following guidelines for pupils, parents and staff as a distinction between slagging and taunting:

Slagging 'is a fun thing you do with friends - with people you care about. Taunting is a choice to bully someone for whom you have contempt' ("The Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander" p.37)

Slagging:

•  Allows the teaser and the person involved to swap roles with ease

•  Isn't intended to hurt the other person

•  Maintains the basic dignity of everyone involved

•  Pokes fun in a light-hearted, clever and benign way

•  Is meant to get both parties to laugh

•  Is only a small part of the activities shared by children who have something in common

•  Is innocent in motive

•  Is discontinued when the person teased becomes upset or objects to the teasing

2.1.2 Bullying involving School Personnel

A teacher or member of staff may, unwittingly or otherwise, engage in, instigate or reinforce bullying behaviour in a number of ways:-

•  Using sarcasm or other insulting or demeaning form of language when addressing pupils; making negative comments about a pupil's appearance or background;

•  Humiliating directly or indirectly, a pupil who is particularly academically weak or outstanding, or vulnerable in other ways;

•  Using any gesture or expression of a threatening or intimidatory nature, or any form of degrading physical contact or exercise

Reasonable and essential correction and behaviour arising from the management of the conduct, behaviour and performance of pupils at school, or in the interests of the safety, health and welfare of pupils does not constitute bullying.

Bullying of pupils by teachers or other school personnel is defined as a pattern of behaviour which can threaten, harm, humiliate, induce fear, or causes pupils substantial emotional distress . While bullying usually involves repeated behaviour, a once off incident involving an adult and a pupil can, if it is sufficiently serious, constitute bullying.

The Board of Management also recognises the potential for teachers and school personnel to be bullied by pupils by means of physical assault, damage to property, verbal abuse, taunting, cyber bullying, threats to people's families etc.

2. 2 EFFECT AND INDICATIONS OF BULLYING

Bullying involving pupils can have far reaching and detrimental effects on the educational, emotional and social development of pupils. It can damage their s elf-confidence and consequently, lower their self-esteem. It can also have damaging consequences for adults affecting their self-confidence, performance at work and interactions with others. Bullying can also cause stress, anxiety and depression.

Pupils who are being bullied may develop feelings of insecurity and extreme anxiety and thus may become more vulnerable. The following signs/symptoms may suggest that a pupil is being bullied:-

•  anxiety about travelling to and from school - requesting parents to drive or collect them, changing route of travel, avoiding regular times for travelling to and from school;

•  unwillingness to go to school, refusal to attend, mitching;

•  deterioration in educational performance, loss of concentration and loss of enthusiasm and interest in school;

•  pattern of physical illnesses (e.g. headaches, stomach aches);

•  unexplained changes either in mood or behaviour; it may be particularly noticeable before returning to school after weekends or more especially after longer school holidays;

•  visible signs of anxiety or distress - stammering, withdrawing, nightmares, difficulty in sleeping, crying, not eating, vomiting, bedwetting;

•  spontaneous out-of-character comments about either pupils or teachers;

•  possessions missing or damaged;

•  increased requests for money or stealing money;

•  unexplained bruising or cuts or damaged clothing;

•  reluctance and/or refusal to say what is troubling him/her.

Those signs do not necessarily mean that a pupil is being bullied. If repeated or occurring in combination those signs do warrant investigation in order to establish what is affecting the pupil.

2.3 ACTIONS TO PREVENT BULLYING

The focus of our school policy on bullying is prevention. We believe that when pupils are given opportunities to assume responsibilities and achieve success, it enhances their positive attitude to the school and each other. Whole School measures, such as 'pupil of the week,' are used to raise self-esteem and develop a positive school spirit. In addition, the school's Code of Behaviour provides a clear outline of acceptable and unacceptable forms of behaviour. The following strategies and programmes are used to reinforce this code and to raise awareness about bullying:

•  Implementation of curriculum modules such as SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education) and Stay Safe, which raise awareness about the issue of bullying

•  Bullying awareness workshops

•  Supervision and monitoring of pupil activities and games, in class and particularly in the school yard, where bullying is most likely to occur

•  Pastoral Care

•  Staff training

2.4 PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH REPORTED INCIDENTS

2.4.1 Pupil Behaviour

We aim to reinforce the importance of speaking out about incidents of bullying in our school. Pupils are taught the difference between tattling and telling: tattling is what you do to get someone into trouble; telling is what you do to get someone out of trouble. Pupils are advised that it is the teacher's job to deal with bullying and that all incidents should be reported to her/him.

•  Each class teacher will deal with any incident of bullying that arises within her/his class and will inform the principal. A written report, signed and dated by the class teacher will be held in the pupil's school records.

•  If the bullying incident occurs in the yard, the teacher on duty will record it and will inform the class teacher and the principal.

•  All reported incidents will be investigated outside the classroom to avoid public humiliation of the victim or the pupil engaged in bullying behaviour.

•  Any allegation will be dealt with sensitively and support will be provided for all parties involved.

•  The teacher will speak calmly, privately and separately with those involved to establish the facts of the incident - what, where, when, who, how and why. Written accounts of the incident will be recorded.

•  A written / typed record of all reported incidents will be kept by the Principal. These will be kept for the duration of the pupil's education within the school. Those on the school's pastoral team will have access to this record.

•  Parents will be informed as necessary. Discretion will be used for less serious incidents or those occurring for the first time.

•  In instances involving allegations of bullying of teachers or school personnel by pupils the situation will be referred to the Principal for investigation and the procedures outlined above will be followed.

•  In circumstances where the incident involves the school Principal, the matter will be referred to the Board of Management for investigation.

2.4.2 School Personnel Behaviour:

In the context of allegations or suspicions of bullying by a staff member, the primary goal is to protect the pupils within the school.

•  Any allegation will be dealt with sensitively and support provided for the parties involved, including counselling when necessary.

•  The employee will be treated fairly which includes the right not to be judged in advance of a full and fair enquiry.

•  All complaints about a staff member will be directed to the Principal or in the case of a complaint against the principal, to the Board of Management in line with the procedures outlined above.

•  In circumstances where the it is found on investigation that school employees have been subject to malicious or false allegations disciplinary measures will be taken, when deemed necessary, by the Board of Management.

2.5 STEPS FOR DEALING WITH COMFIRMED INCIDENTS

If it is concluded that a pupil has engaged in bullying behaviour the following steps are taken:

•  If it is the first occurrence or a minor incident, the bully is given a verbal warning and will be advised regarding the inappropriateness of their behaviour, particularly from the victim's point of view. Parents of both the victim and the bully will be made aware of the incident by the class teacher.

•  Records of all incidents will be kept by the Principal.

•  Relevant staff will be notified of the pupils involved and will monitor the situation.

•  In serious cases or if behaviour persists, parents / guardians will be informed by the school Principal. A meeting with the parents of the bully, the class teacher/ Principal and the pupil may be appropriate at this stage. Ways of dealing with the situation will be discussed and the parents will be asked to support or reinforce the actions taken by the school.

•  The school is very aware that pupils involved in bullying and their victims may need help on an on-going basis. The school will use the resources available to us to ensure that both the victim and bully are given the opportunity to talk, with the aim of enhancing their self esteem, social skills and coping strategies. The bully will be helped to see the situation from the victim's point of view.

•  If there is no improvement the problem will be reported to the Board of Management.

•  Suspension from school for a number of days may be enforced. The parents of a pupil who has been suspended will be expected, with the support of the school, to seek whatever help is deemed appropriate.

•  In very serious incidents where the school fears for the safety of a pupil the Gardaí will be informed.

•  If the above procedures fail to overcome problem, the parents of the bully may be asked to find an alternative school placement for their child.

Throughout the process the victim is assured of ongoing support and encouraged to report any further incidents.

PART 3 - PERSONS OTHER THAN EMPLOYEES