What is Bullying? Excerpt from a Primary School’s Anti-bullying Policy:
"Bullying is a continuous pattern of behaviour by one person towards another which is designed to hurt, injure, embarrass, upset or discomfort that person."
Bullying can take various forms
It can be:
• Physical: Pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching and other forms of violence or threats
• Verbal: Name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing
• Emotional: Excluding (not allowing child to join in), tormenting, ridicule, humiliation
Often Emotional bullying is the hardest to resolve. It is easier for the bully to be covert in their attacks and much harder to catch them out.
What to do once you know your child is being bullied
There’s twelve essential steps you need to take:
1. Put all complaints and concerns in writing
2. Don't assume that a sympathetic teacher, who you like, is the best person to deal with the situation. If it continues go to the Head.
3. Keep a record of EVERYTHING. Keep a Diary. Log incidents, using time, date and location. Keep emails, letters and make meeting notes. Make sure you get written responses to all letters, even if you discuss issues raised in a meeting.
4. If the incidents continue and there is no resolution, ask to see your child's school record. Make sure that ALL correspondence you have exchanged with the school about the problems your child is having is on the record.
5. If you need to report bullying, then ask to see the School's Anti Bullying Policy. Make it clear to the school that you expect them to deal with any incidents as set down and defined by the policy.
6. Research bullying before you go to any meetings at the school.
7. If you believe your child is being bullied, ask the Head whether s/he agrees. You may be surprised or upset by the answer.
8. If your child used to be happy at school and no longer is, ask the school to consider why.
9. Question the school's strategies for dealing with bullying. If your child has been bullied for any period of time and there appears to be no resolution, it's obvious that any strategies the school is implementing just aren't working
10. If your child becomes ill due to bullying, ask your Doctor to write a letter to the school. This letter will also go on the school record and may strengthen your case if you have to take further action.
11. Don't assume ANYTHING!
Do not assume that all staff working with your child know exactly what has been going on. This includes teachers covering absence, new staff etc.
Do not assume that the school agrees with you that your child is being bullied
Do not assume the teachers you like are the best people to deal with the problem
Do not assume that all staff will automatically follow the anti bullying policy
Do not assume that all bullying incidents are logged
Do not assume that all staff understand the anti bullying policy
Do not assume that all staff have had adequate induction or training about the anti bullying policy
12. No matter how exhausted or disheartened you become.......do not give up!
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Contributor's Note
This article is an extract from an original article written by aj2008. I hope you find it helpful.
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