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Anti –Bullying /Positive Behaviour Policy.
Definition
Bullying is “repeated aggression, verbal, psychological or physical, conducted by an individual or group against others. Isolated incidents of aggressive behaviour, which should not be condoned, can scarcely be described as bullying. However, when the behaviour is ongoing, it is bullying.
Introduction
Bullying affects everyone, not just the bullies and the victims.
It also affects those other children who watch and learn aggressive pupils can be drawn in by group pressure.
Bullying is not an inevitable part of school life or a necessary part of growing up and it rarely sorts itself out.
It is clear that certain jokes, insults, intimidating/threatening behaviour, written abuse and violence are to be found in our society.
No one person or group, whether staff or pupil, should have to accept this type of behaviour.
We believe that only when all issues of bullying are addressed, will a child best be able to benefit from the opportunities available at the school.
Rationale
The review of our Anti-Bullying Policy was identified as a priority area by our staff.
Who was involved?
This policy is the result of collaboration between staff, parents, pupils and the Board of Management of our school.
Relationship to Characteristic Spirit of the school.
The School believes that its pupils have the right to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment.
All institutions contain some pupils with the potential for bullying behaviour.
If the school is well disciplined and organised, it can minimise the occurrence of bullying.
The school has a clear policy on the promotion of good citizenship, where it is made clear that bullying is a form of anti- social behaviour.
We feel that it is important therefore that the school has a clear written policy to promote this belief, where both pupils and parents/ guardians are fully aware that any bullying complaints will be dealt with firmly, fairly and promptly.
Aims:
1 To raise awareness that in our school everyone is valued.
2. To promote the right of people to be themselves and the responsibility to treat others, as they would like to be treated.
3. To create an awareness among all members of the school community that bullying is an unacceptable form of behaviour.
4. To develop a school atmosphere which encourages children to disclose and discuss incidences of bullying behaviour.
5. To ensure comprehensive supervision and monitoring measures, through which all areas of school activity are kept observation.
6. To develop procedures for investigating and dealing with bullying.
7. To provide on-going support and reassurance to victims.
8. To monitor behaviour of perpetrators and provide the necessary support to resolve the situation and change negative attitudes.
Implementation:
1. A School Ethos Statement is displayed in entrance porch.
2. A School Anti-Bullying statement is displayed clearly.
3. A classroom Anti-Bullying Statement is devised by each class and displayed in classroom.
4. Specific themes are explored each month in ‘conjunction’ with the S.P.H.E. programme, in which aspects of bullying and the appropriate way to behave towards each other are explored and discussed.
5. The “Walk Tall” and “Stay Safe” Programmes which deal in depth with bullying are taught in all classes. “Earth Link” is used in V and VI as an extra resource.
6. Bullying is discussed as it arises during R.E. Class.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN WHEN BULLYING IS SUSPECTED.
1. All reports of bullying are investigated.
2. Serious incidents of bullying are referred to the Principal and a record is kept of the incident.
3. The onus rests on Staff to investigate reports of bullying in an impartial manner – being careful to listen to both sides. We talk to the suspected victim, the suspected bully and any witness.
4. Help, support and counselling are given as is appropriate to both victims and bullies.
We support the victims in the following ways:
* by offering them an immediate opportunity to talk about the experience with their class teacher, or another teacher if they choose.
* by reassuring the victim of the correctness of his/her actions in reporting the bullying and the necessity to report any further incidents.
* by informing the victims parents /guardians.
* by offering continued support when they feel they need it and checking regularly to ensure that the bullying behaviour has stopped.
* by directing the victims towards alternative friends/social contacts within the school-where considered appropriate.
* by taking one or more of the seven disciplinary steps described below to prevent more bullying.
We also discipline, yet try to help the bullies in the following ways:
* by talking about what happened, to discover why they became involved.
* by discussing how the victim feels in order to promote empathy.
* By informing the bullies’ parents /guardian
* By continuing to work with bullies in order to get rid of prejudiced attitudes as far as possible.
* Making it clear that the behaviour is in breach of the school rules.
* In its handling of an incident, the school will be mindful of minimising the likelihood of the behaviour extending beyond the environs of the school.
* By taking one or more of the seven disciplinary steps below to prevent more bullying.
Disciplinary Steps.
1. They are warned officially that the behaviour is unacceptable and to stop offending.
2. The following sanctions will be imposed as deemed appropriate – excluded from P.E., a school trip etc.required to do detention during play time.
3. Informing the bullies’ parent/guardians by letter.
4. If they do not stop bullying, a meeting will be held with parents/guardians and they will be informed that suspension for a minor fixed period (one or two days, depending on the seriousness of the incident) will result if bullying continues.
5. If bullying continues they will be recommended for suspension for a major fixed period (up to five days) or an indefinite period.
6. If they will not end such behaviour, they will be requested to appear before the Board of Management of the school with their parents/guardians.
Monitoring and Awareness.
1. The Principal and Deputy Principal will be responsible for the implementation and on – going monitoring of the policy.
2. Incoming pupils and their parents/guardians are informed of the school policy on bullying.
All families are given a copy of the policy
Parents are encouraged to notify the school immediately if they become aware of bullying.
The monthly newsletter contains points of information on our S.P.H.E. programme which will keep parents informed of our specific theme for each month.
3. The names of children who are considered “at risk” from bullying are entered in “Yard Book”.
4. Staff are reminded on a regular basis: to be watchful for occurrence of bullying, especially at the start of the school year, to check the Yard Book and to investigate all reports of incidents from pupils.
5. Older children are encouraged to help and listen to younger children.
6. More specifically, a rotating prefect system which gives responsibility to VI class pupils to help in the monitoring and implementations of our bullying policy is currently being explored.
7. Class surveys on various aspects of school behaviour are carried out at regular intervals. The results are discussed in class and among staff and further supports put in place if needed.