| anti_bullying_policy_october_2021__1_.pdf |
| anti_bullying_policy_october_2021.pdf |
| anti_bullying_policy.pdf |
Policy Statement In Regard to Pupils.
It is the Board of Management policy to provide a supportive safe learning Environment for its pupils. Every pupil who attends this school has as his inherent right to be free from all types of harassment / bullying.
What is bullying?
For the purpose of this policy statement Bullying can be defined as repeated aggression, verbal, psychological or physical conducted by an individual or group against others. The types of behaviour associated with such aggression, one damage to property, extortion, intimidation, abusive telephone calls, isolation, name calling, slagging, spitting, or other actions directed at upsetting the pupils feeling of safety.
How to deal with Bullying Behaviour (A strategy for Pupils, Parents and Teacher).
In the school environment, all incidents no matter how trivial should be noted, investigated and dealt with by teachers. Pupils are encouraged to report any incidents of aggression to their parents or teachers. Parents are encouraged to contact the Class teacher or Principal in regard to any concerns they may have in regard to Bullying:
In investigating any incident of bullying within this school, it is important to keep the following in mind.
(1) What is Bullying? (Refer to previous definition in school context).
(2) Principles of natural justice.
(3) The type of bullying behaviour being displayed.
(a)How does the bullying take place?
(b) Where does it take place?
(c) Who is bullying and who is getting picked on?
In receiving and investigating reports of bullying behaviour school personnel should record the reported incident, check for false allegations and inform the interested parties that the issues outlined will be dealt with. Should the report of bullying be substantiated, follow up will be required. The follow up will come under the remit of the code of Discipline of the school and will follow the guidelines as outlined there in. However it is important to note here that in keeping with the school ethos of Empowerment children are encouraged to change their behaviour themselves. At times in these circumstances they may need guidance and direction from their parents and teachers.
Prevention of Bullying.
In the Prevention of Bullying it is important to teach children not to bully. This involves Training for Staff, communication to children, and Bullying as part of theSPHE Curriculum. In dealing with Bullying it is important to interview all involved. Explain the problem, share responsibility, identify solutions and let the pupils take action themselves:
School personnel responding to and preventing bullying and aggressive behaviour should keep the following in mind.
(1) Keep Calm.
(2) Don't Jump to Conclusions.
(3) Listen.
(4) Don't be sidetracked.
(5) Criticise behaviour not child.
(6) No threats
(7) Win/Win.
(8) Hierarchy of Sanctions e.g. Name calling verses Assault.
Conclusion.
The objective of this Policy Document is to guide practice in relation to harassment/bullying of pupils by others. It is not exhaustive in content and tries to provide a structure/framework where by aggressive behaviour is dealt with to the satisfaction of all parties. It should be constantly reviewed and referred to at the beginning of each school year, so that all school personnel are aware of its contents. Listed below are other strategies for dealing with child to child bullying and adult bullying.
Child to Child Bullying
Stage One
Unless the incident is of a very serious nature, it will be dealt with by the classroom teacher who will talk to the children involved. Teachers respect the need to support the esteem of each party involved in an incident. When a teacher becomes aware that a child is regularly involved in incidents he/she will start a record of such incidents. The purpose of this record is:
" To aid memory by recording details of the incident
" For clarity in assessment of the situation
" For planning and intervention
Prior to a record of incidences being kept, parent(s) will be informed.
Should the action taken at this stage prove not to have resolved the issue, the staff will proceed to stage two.
Stage Two
The Principal will arrange to meet with the parents of the child who is seen to be bullying and separately with the parents of the victim of bullying. The children themselves may be required to attend part or all of these meetings. The child who is bullying will be placed on report. This means that the child's behaviour in all areas is monitored during the day. The child has three meetings with his/her teacher and together they decide on what is to be written for that part of the day. All positive behaviour, progress on work etc will be noted. At the end of the day, the teacher writes his/her own comment. The purpose of this report to focus as much as possible on the positive qualities and efforts of the child, and to motivate the child to move away from negative behaviour. The child should be able to see that parents and school are working together in his/her interest, so the co-operation of the parents is essential. Initially a review of the reports will be carried out on a weekly basis, in a meeting with the Principal, teacher, parents and child. If progress is being made, longer intervals between meetings may be decided upon. The child who is the victim of bullying will also meet with the Principal and his/her parents. The aim of such a meeting(s) will be to address emotional needs and devise strategies for the child to deal with the bullying. This may involve reinforcing the programme being covered in class, or other strategies.
Stage 3
It is the duty of the school to provide a safe environment for all the children. Should the above interventions fail and the bullying continue, a programme of appropriate sanctions may be implemented by the Principal in consultation with the parents and Board of Management. Sanctions implemented aim to encourage positive behaviour and support the esteem of the child. These sanctions may include a period of suspension during which there will be ongoing consultation with the parents to decide on appropriate action(s) to be taken in the best interests of the child. Suspension for any period of time will be reported in writing by the Principal to the Chair of the Board of Management.
Bullying by Adults
In the case of intra-staff bullying, Scoil Bhríde B.N.S will adopt the procedures outlined in Section C (c2) of the INTO booklet: 'Working Together: Procedures and Policies for Positive Staff Relations'. A copy of this document is available for free download on the INTO website.
In the case of Teacher - Child bullying, a complaint should in the first instance be raised with the teacher in question by the parent/guardian of the child if possible and then if necessary referred to the Principal. Where it has not been possible to agree a framework for resolution, the matter should be referred in writing by both parties to the Board of Management for investigation.
In the case of Parent - Teacher bullying, the Principal should be informed in the first instance, and if deemed necessary the Board of Management should subsequently be informed in writing.
In the case of Parent/Visitor to the school - Child bullying, the complaint should be referred in the first instance to the child's class teacher and subsequently to the Principal if unresolved.
In the case of Principal - Parent/ Child bullying, the matter should be raised with the Principal if possible, or referred to the Chairperson of the Board of Management.
It is the Board of Management policy to provide a supportive safe learning Environment for its pupils. Every pupil who attends this school has as his inherent right to be free from all types of harassment / bullying.
What is bullying?
For the purpose of this policy statement Bullying can be defined as repeated aggression, verbal, psychological or physical conducted by an individual or group against others. The types of behaviour associated with such aggression, one damage to property, extortion, intimidation, abusive telephone calls, isolation, name calling, slagging, spitting, or other actions directed at upsetting the pupils feeling of safety.
How to deal with Bullying Behaviour (A strategy for Pupils, Parents and Teacher).
In the school environment, all incidents no matter how trivial should be noted, investigated and dealt with by teachers. Pupils are encouraged to report any incidents of aggression to their parents or teachers. Parents are encouraged to contact the Class teacher or Principal in regard to any concerns they may have in regard to Bullying:
In investigating any incident of bullying within this school, it is important to keep the following in mind.
(1) What is Bullying? (Refer to previous definition in school context).
(2) Principles of natural justice.
(3) The type of bullying behaviour being displayed.
(a)How does the bullying take place?
(b) Where does it take place?
(c) Who is bullying and who is getting picked on?
In receiving and investigating reports of bullying behaviour school personnel should record the reported incident, check for false allegations and inform the interested parties that the issues outlined will be dealt with. Should the report of bullying be substantiated, follow up will be required. The follow up will come under the remit of the code of Discipline of the school and will follow the guidelines as outlined there in. However it is important to note here that in keeping with the school ethos of Empowerment children are encouraged to change their behaviour themselves. At times in these circumstances they may need guidance and direction from their parents and teachers.
Prevention of Bullying.
In the Prevention of Bullying it is important to teach children not to bully. This involves Training for Staff, communication to children, and Bullying as part of theSPHE Curriculum. In dealing with Bullying it is important to interview all involved. Explain the problem, share responsibility, identify solutions and let the pupils take action themselves:
School personnel responding to and preventing bullying and aggressive behaviour should keep the following in mind.
(1) Keep Calm.
(2) Don't Jump to Conclusions.
(3) Listen.
(4) Don't be sidetracked.
(5) Criticise behaviour not child.
(6) No threats
(7) Win/Win.
(8) Hierarchy of Sanctions e.g. Name calling verses Assault.
Conclusion.
The objective of this Policy Document is to guide practice in relation to harassment/bullying of pupils by others. It is not exhaustive in content and tries to provide a structure/framework where by aggressive behaviour is dealt with to the satisfaction of all parties. It should be constantly reviewed and referred to at the beginning of each school year, so that all school personnel are aware of its contents. Listed below are other strategies for dealing with child to child bullying and adult bullying.
Child to Child Bullying
Stage One
Unless the incident is of a very serious nature, it will be dealt with by the classroom teacher who will talk to the children involved. Teachers respect the need to support the esteem of each party involved in an incident. When a teacher becomes aware that a child is regularly involved in incidents he/she will start a record of such incidents. The purpose of this record is:
" To aid memory by recording details of the incident
" For clarity in assessment of the situation
" For planning and intervention
Prior to a record of incidences being kept, parent(s) will be informed.
Should the action taken at this stage prove not to have resolved the issue, the staff will proceed to stage two.
Stage Two
The Principal will arrange to meet with the parents of the child who is seen to be bullying and separately with the parents of the victim of bullying. The children themselves may be required to attend part or all of these meetings. The child who is bullying will be placed on report. This means that the child's behaviour in all areas is monitored during the day. The child has three meetings with his/her teacher and together they decide on what is to be written for that part of the day. All positive behaviour, progress on work etc will be noted. At the end of the day, the teacher writes his/her own comment. The purpose of this report to focus as much as possible on the positive qualities and efforts of the child, and to motivate the child to move away from negative behaviour. The child should be able to see that parents and school are working together in his/her interest, so the co-operation of the parents is essential. Initially a review of the reports will be carried out on a weekly basis, in a meeting with the Principal, teacher, parents and child. If progress is being made, longer intervals between meetings may be decided upon. The child who is the victim of bullying will also meet with the Principal and his/her parents. The aim of such a meeting(s) will be to address emotional needs and devise strategies for the child to deal with the bullying. This may involve reinforcing the programme being covered in class, or other strategies.
Stage 3
It is the duty of the school to provide a safe environment for all the children. Should the above interventions fail and the bullying continue, a programme of appropriate sanctions may be implemented by the Principal in consultation with the parents and Board of Management. Sanctions implemented aim to encourage positive behaviour and support the esteem of the child. These sanctions may include a period of suspension during which there will be ongoing consultation with the parents to decide on appropriate action(s) to be taken in the best interests of the child. Suspension for any period of time will be reported in writing by the Principal to the Chair of the Board of Management.
Bullying by Adults
In the case of intra-staff bullying, Scoil Bhríde B.N.S will adopt the procedures outlined in Section C (c2) of the INTO booklet: 'Working Together: Procedures and Policies for Positive Staff Relations'. A copy of this document is available for free download on the INTO website.
In the case of Teacher - Child bullying, a complaint should in the first instance be raised with the teacher in question by the parent/guardian of the child if possible and then if necessary referred to the Principal. Where it has not been possible to agree a framework for resolution, the matter should be referred in writing by both parties to the Board of Management for investigation.
In the case of Parent - Teacher bullying, the Principal should be informed in the first instance, and if deemed necessary the Board of Management should subsequently be informed in writing.
In the case of Parent/Visitor to the school - Child bullying, the complaint should be referred in the first instance to the child's class teacher and subsequently to the Principal if unresolved.
In the case of Principal - Parent/ Child bullying, the matter should be raised with the Principal if possible, or referred to the Chairperson of the Board of Management.