Ballapousta National School

Ballapousta National School Anti-Bullying Policy

Introduction:

The Ballapousta NS booklet, 'Coping with Bullying in School' states that:

"Bullying can be defined as repeated aggression, be it verbal, physical or psychological conducted by an individual or a group. Bullying can take place in the classroom, on the bus, in the yard or in any other area of the school buildings or the immediate school environment. It is not bullying when young people of around the same age and level of physical or social power have a quarrel or fight."


Aims:

" To create a school ethos which encourages children to disclose and report incidents of bullying behaviour.
" To educate the children and inform parents and teachers about bullying behaviours.
" To raise awareness of bullying as a form of unacceptable behaviour with children, parents, teachers, Board of Management and the wider school community.
" To develop procedures for noting and reporting of incidents of 'alleged' bullying behaviour.
" To develop a programme of support for those who are affected by bullying behaviour and for those involved in bullying behaviour.
" To ensure comprehensive supervision and monitoring measures throughout the school before school, in class, at break times and after in after school activities.
" To evaluate the effectiveness of school policy on anti-bullying and to conduct a review of school policy as required
" To integrate the school anti-bullying policy into the school health and safety statement.
" To work with and through the various local agencies in countering all forms of bullying and anti-social behaviour.
" To link the school anti-bullying policy with the school policy on acceptable behaviour.


Incidents which occur on the bus travelling to and from the school are of concern to the school but at the same time fall outside of the remit and responsibility of the school. Any incidents should be reported to the bus company or parents' association immediately.

Bullying affects everyone, not just the bully or the victims of bullying. It is behaviour which is intentionally aggravating and intimidating. Bullying may include behaviours, but not exclusively, such as teasing, taunting, name calling, slagging, [slagging usually refers to the good-natured banter which goes on as part of the normal social interchange between people. However when slagging extends to very personal remarks aimed again and again at the individual about appearance, clothing, personal hygiene, sexuality, involves references to one's family, particularly couched in sexual innuendo than it assumes the form of bullying], hitting, spitting, exclusion or extortion, abusive phone calls or text messages, email or blogs, stealing or damaging the property of others.

Bullying behaviour thrives in an atmosphere of uncertainty, fear and secrecy in which the victim often feels a sense of isolation and hopelessness. Bullying thrives in an atmosphere of silence. Better to report your concerns than to keep silent. Bullying may take place in the class. It may occur subtly through looks, sniggers and glances but may take the form of more overt physical intimidation. The playground, with its noise levels, is frequently the site of bullying. The playground is also ideal for the 'bully gang'.

Isolated incidents of teasing, taunting, physically violent behaviour, which should not be condoned, can scarcely be described as bullying. When behaviour is systematic and ongoing it is bullying. No person, whether teachers, school staff, children or parents should accept this type of behaviour in our school community.

This school acknowledges the need to recognise that any pupil can be the victim of, or the perpetrator of bullying behaviour.

Definition of Bullying:
" "Bullying is repeated aggression, verbal, psychological or physical conducted by an individual or group against others". Department of Education and Science Guidelines on Countering Bullying

The Victim
" Any child through no fault of their own may be bullied. The seriousness and duration of the bullying behaviour id directly related to the pupil's continuing response to the verbal, physical or psychological aggression. "It is of note that some children unwittingly behave in a very provocative manner which may attract bullying behaviour". Department of Education and Science Guidelines on Countering Bullying

The Bully
" It is generally accepted that bullying is a learned behaviour.
" Pupils who bully tend to display aggressive attitudes combined with a low level of self discipline. They lack any sense of remorse; often they convince themselves that the victim deserves the treatment meted out to them.
" Pupils who bully can also be attention seeking, out to impress other children.
" They may lack the ability to empathise and may be unaware of the feelings of others.
" Some seem to enjoy inflicting pain on others. It is of note that bullies seem to suffer from low self-esteem. It is not uncommon to find that children who engage in bullying behaviour are also bullied. They tend to be easily provoked and frequently provoke others.

Possible Indications of Bullying

" Anxiety about attending school
" Deterioration in education performance
" Pattern of unusual physical illness
" Unexplained changes of mood or behaviour
" Visible signs of anxiety or distress
" Possessions missing [smaller children often loose pencils etc as a rule]
" Increased requests for money
" Unexplained bruising or other marks on the body
" Reluctance to say what may be troubling him/her.

These are indications of bullying BUT also may be signs of others problems which are not bullying.

What can you say to a child who is being bullied?

" Tell him/her that he/she does not deserved to be bullied and that it is WRONG
" Tell him/her to be proud of them and reassure him/her that they have taken the first step to stopping the bullying by speaking out. BULLYING THRIVES IN SILENCE.
" Try not to show that you are upset, stay calm and speak in an even and loving voice.
" Tell them to be assertive, shout 'NO' or something else and to walk confidently away. Go to a teacher or other member of staff immediately.
" Fighting back may make matters worse. Often the victim gets in trouble for fighting and the bully wins again.
" Tell the child that ALL reports of bullying are taken seriously by the class teacher, other members of staff and the Principal. The school will take them seriously and will deal with bullies in a way that will not make matters worse for them.
" If they know someone else who is being bullied, TAKE ACTION, watching and doing nothing looks as if you are on the side of the bully. Tell someone you trust immediately. The bully will be dealt with, without the child who reports the bullying getting into trouble.

Procedures for noting and reporting incidents of alleged bullying

" All reports of bullying will be noted in the Bullying Report Diary, which each teacher will have, be investigated and dealt with by the teachers in a calm, unemotional, sympathetic and problem-solving way.
" No teacher can agree to keep any matters in relation to a child being bullied confidential.
" It should be made clear that children reporting incidents of bullying are acting responsibly.
" Reports of bullying will be dealt with initially by the class teacher.
" Serious incidents of bullying or repeated incidents of bullying may be referred to the Deputy Principal/Principal immediately.
" Parents of those involved will be notified at the earliest opportunity and given the opportunity to discuss the alleged bullying incidents with the class teacher.
" In incidents of a serious nature or repeated incidents of bullying, parents will be obliged to meet the Principal/Deputy Principal and class teacher to discuss the incidents, to then be in a position to help and support their children, irrespective of whether their child is the bully or the victim.
" In the case of a complaint against a staff member, this should be raised, normally in the first instance; with the staff member and only if the matter remains unresolved with the Principal and then Board of Management.
" Where matters, relating to pupils or teachers remain unresolved at school level, the matter should be referred to the Board of Management as laid down in the CPSMA/INTO/DES agreed complaints procedure.
" A record of how the matter was handled and the outcome will be kept. When the class moves on to another teacher, the new teacher will be informed as is normal procedure in Ballapousta National School.

Procedures for investigating and dealing with bullying

" The class teacher will normally investigate the report incident of alleged bullying and keep a record of how the matter was handled and the outcome. The teacher will seek answers to questions of what, when, who, how often and why in a calm manner.
" Incidents are best investigated at class level at first. Serious incidents or incidents which are not the first occurrence should be referred to the Principal/Deputy Principal.
" Teachers should speak to the children involved separately in an attempt to get both sides of the behaviour. All interviews will be conducted sensitively and with due regard to the rights of all pupils concerned.
" Members of a 'gang' should be met separately and also as a group. All members of the group/gang will be asked for his/her account of what has happened to ensure that everyone is clear about what everyone else said. Peer pressure often means that children are afraid to tell the truth about incidents. Every effort will be made to encourage and support children who feel that they cannot reveal what may have happened because of fear.
" Parents will be informed where it has been determined that bullying has occurred and met by the class teacher or Principal/Deputy Principal as appropriate to explain the situation and what actions to be taken at home and at school to support the victims and the bully.
" Follow-up meetings with children/parents may be arranged as required.


This policy is to be reviewed in 2010 or as required by BOM or DES instructions