Bí Cineálta Policy to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour
The Board of Management of Loughquittane NS has adopted the following policy to prevent and address bullying behaviour.
This policy fully complies with the requirements of Bí Cineálta: Procedures to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2024.
The board of management acknowledges that bullying behaviour interferes with the rights of the child as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. We all, as a school community, have a responsibility to work together to prevent and address bullying behaviour and to deal with the negative impact of bullying behaviour.
We are committed to ensuring that all students who attend our school are kept safe from harm and that the wellbeing of our students is at the forefront of everything that we do. We recognise the negative impact that bullying behaviour can have on the lives of our students and we are fully committed to preventing and addressing bullying behaviour.
We confirm that we will, in accordance with our obligations under equality legislation, take all such steps that are reasonably practicable to prevent the harassment of students or staff on any of the nine grounds specified: gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community.
Definition of bullying
Bullying is defined in Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying and Bí Cineálta: Procedures to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour for Primary and Post-Primary Schools as;
Targeted behaviour, online or offline that causes harm.
The harm caused can be physical, social and/or emotional in nature.
Bullying behaviour is repeated over time and involves an imbalance of power in relationships between two people or groups of people in society.
The detailed definition is provided in Chapter 2 of the Bí Cineálta procedures (Pgs. 17 – 24).
Strategies to deal with inappropriate behaviour that is not bullying behaviour are provided for within the school’s Code of Behaviour.
We confirm that we will take all steps that are reasonably practicable to prevent all bullying or harassment of our students in whatever form and however motivated.
Catholic schools have a distinctive understanding of the human person, recognising that every person is created in God’s image and likeness and has inherent dignity as a child of God. This is the basis for ensuring that everybody in our school is treated with respect and care, in accordance with the Catholic Schedule.
As a Catholic school, we are committed to respecting the dignity of every individual. No human person is to be devalued and everybody has a part to play in the school community, regardless of difference.
Section A: Development / Review of Bí Cineálta Policy to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour.
Date Consulted Method of Consultation
School Staff 19/ 02/ 2025 Questionnaire for all staff,
Face to face meeting to discuss the responses from the questionnaires; staff, parents and pupils.
Discuss the Bí CineáltaPolicy and Procedures
Students 11/ 02/’ 25 Child friendly Questionnaire,
Focus Group 3rd to 6th classes
to create a child friendly Bí Cineálta policy
Parents 10/ 02/ ‘25
03/ 03/’25
June 2025
Questionnaire
Follow up message and link to current
Code of Behaviour on website sent.
Draft Bí Cinealta Policy sent to parents via Parents’ Association
Board of Management June 2025 Face to face meeting
Draft policy review
Bí Cinealta Policy ratified at BoM meeting
Wider school community inc.
bus driver, after school provider September 2025 Parents’ Association
Bus Driver
Date policy was approved: 23 June 2025
Date policy was last reviewed: ___________
Section B: Preventing Bullying Behaviour
This section sets out the prevention strategies that will be used by this school to address all forms of bullying behaviour, in whatever form and however motivated, including online bullying behaviour, homophobic and transphobic bullying behaviour, racist bullying behaviour, sexist bullying behaviour and sexual harassment,(see Chapter 5 of the Bí Cineálta procedures):
In developing the preventative strategies which this school will use to prevent all forms of bullying behaviour, we come from the context of our Catholic ethos, where inclusivity permeates our school in a real way.
This school takes positive steps to ensure that the culture of the school is one which welcomes a respectful dialogue and encounter with diversity and difference by ensuring that prevention and inclusivity strategies are given priority and discussed regularly at our board of management and staff meetings.
Culture and Environment
● A positive and inclusive school culture and environment
● The school environment should promote a sense of belonging where children feel safe, connected and supported
● Positive relationships
● Open communication with the whole school community and support a ‘telling’ environment
● Maintain a positive and supportive school environment for all
● Have effective and clear expectations
● Promote kindness and inclusion within peer groups
● Parents, as active partners in their child’s education, can promote empathy and respect.
● A Trusted Adult
● Supervision
Curriculum:
● Teaching and learning in SPHE
● RSE Curriculum
● Student participation
● SPHE Methodologies
● Promoting inclusion and diversity
● Extra – curricular activities to develop positive self – worth
● Group work/ Collaboration
● Role – play, acting out scenarios
● Circle time
Policy and Planning:
● Bí Cineálta policy
● Student friendly Bí Cineálta policy
● Code of behaviour
● Child safeguarding statement
● Acceptable use policy
● Supervision
● RSE Policy
● SEN policy
● SSE Wellbeing in education
● Appropriate TPL ( Teacher Professional Learning)
Relationships and partnerships:
● Strong interpersonal connections
● Bullying awareness initiatives
● Student and parent participation
● TPL ( Teacher Professional Learning)
● Critical thinking Skills
● Promoting peer support
● Supporting activities that build empathy, respect and resilience
Preventing cyber bullying behaviour:
(Note – the digital age of consent is the minimum age a user must be before a social media or internet company can collect, process and store their date. In Ireland the digital age of consent is 16. Children between 13 and 16 must have parental permission to sign up to social media services. Most social media platforms have a minimum age requirement and for the majority of these, it is 13 years old. Therefore children under the age of 13 should not have a social media account)
● promoting digital citizenship
● implementing SPHE curriculum
● open conversations with students about developing respectful and kind relationships online
● referring to appropriate online behaviour as part of the standards of behaviour in the Code of Behaviour
● promoting online safety events for parents who are responsible for overseeing their children’s activities online
● holding internet safety day
Preventing homophobic/ transphobic bullying behaviour
● maintaining an inclusive physical environment such as displaying relevant posters
● encouraging peer support such as peer mentoring and empathy building activities
● challenging gender-stereotypes
Preventing racist bullying behaviour
● fostering a school culture where diversity is celebrated and where students “see themselves” in
● their school environment
● encouraging peer support such as peer mentoring and empathy building activities
● encouraging bystanders to report when they witness racist behaviour
● providing supports to school staff to support students from ethnic minorities, including Traveller and Roma students, and to encourage communication with their parents
● ensuring that library reading material and textbooks represent appropriate lived experiences of students and adults from different national, ethnic and cultural backgrounds
Preventing sexist bullying behaviour:
● ensuring members of staff model respectful behaviour and treat students equally irrespective of
● their sex
● ensuring all student have the same opportunities to engage in school activities irrespective
of their sex
● celebrating diversity at school and acknowledging the contribution of all students
● encouraging parents to reinforce these values of respect at home
Preventing sexual harassment:
● promoting positive role models within the school community
● challenging gender stereotypes that can contribute to sexual harassment
The dignity and the wellbeing of the individual person is of paramount concern in our Christian response. This school will listen closely to and dialogue with parents, thereby building a relationship of mutual understanding, respect, trust and confidence.”
In continuing to develop prevention strategies, this school will listen to young people and parents, to help establish their particular context and needs. Frequent periods of reflection and further engagement by the school, young people and parents, will be used to discern appropriate supports for young people in this school and to help inform future prevention strategies”.
Section C: Addressing Bullying Behaviour
The teacher(s) with responsibility for addressing bullying behaviour is / are
All class teachers
When bullying behaviour occurs, the school will
● Ensure that the student experiencing bullying behaviour is heard and reassured
● Seek to ensure the privacy of those involved
● Consider all conversations with sensitivity
● Consider the age and ability of those involved
● Listen to the views of the student who is experiencing the bullying behaviour as to how best
to address the situation
● Take action in a timely manner
● Inform the parents of those involved
The steps that will be taken by the school to determine if bullying behaviour has occurred, the approaches taken to address the bullying behaviour and to review progress are as follows
● Identify if bullying behaviour has occurred
To determine whether the behaviour reported is bullying behaviour you should consider the following questions:
1. Is the behaviour targeted at a specific student or group of students?
2. Is the behaviour intended to cause physical, social or emotional harm?
3. Is the behaviour repeated?
If the answer to each of the questions above is Yes, then the behaviour is bullying behaviour and the behaviour should be addressed using the Bí Cineálta Procedures.
● Note: Once off incidents may be considered bullying in certain circumstances. A single hurtful message posted on social media can be considered bullying behaviour as it has a high likelihood of being shared multiple times and thus becomes a repeated behaviour.
● When identifying if bullying behaviour has occurred teachers should consider what, where, when and why?
⮚ If a group of students is involved, each student should be engaged with individually at first.
⮚ Thereafter, all students involved should be met as a group.
⮚ At the group meeting, each student should be asked for their account of what happened to ensure that everyone in the group is clear about each other’s views.
⮚ Each student should be supported as appropriate, following the group meeting.
⮚ It may be helpful to ask the students involved to write down their account of the incident(s).
Note: Requests to take no action
A student reporting bullying behaviour may ask that a member of staff does nothing about
the behaviour other than “look out” for them. It is important that the member of staff
➢ shows empathy to the student
➢ deals with the matter sensitively
➢ speaks with the student to work out together what steps can be taken to address the matter and how their parents will be informed of the situation.
It is important that the student who has experienced bullying behaviour feels safe.
Parents may also make schools aware of bullying behaviour that has occurred and specifically request that the school take no action. Parents should put this request in writing to the school or be facilitated to do so where there are literacy, digital literacy or language barriers.
However, while acknowledging the parent’s request, schools may decide that, based on the circumstances, it is appropriate to address the bullying behaviour.
Note; As per 2.6 and 6.2 schools are not expected to deal with bullying behaviour that occurs when students are not under the care or responsibility of the school. However, where this bullying behaviour has an impact in school, schools are required to support the students involved.
Where the bullying behaviour continues in school, schools should deal with it in accordance with their Bí Cineálta policy.
Loughquittane NS will use the following approaches to support those who experience, witness and display bullying behaviour:
● Record all incidents of bullying behaviour
➢ A record should be kept of the engagement with all involved
➢ This record should document the form and type of bullying behaviour, if known (see Section 2.5 and 2.7 of the Bi Cineálta procedures), where and when it took place and the date of the initial engagement with the students involved and their parents
➢ the record should include the views of the students and their parents regarding the actions to be taken to address the bullying behaviour
● Parents are an integral part of the school community and play an important role, in partnership with schools, in addressing bullying behaviour.
● Where bullying behaviour has occurred, the parents of the students involved must be contacted at an early stage to inform them of the matter and to consult with them on the actions to be taken to address the behaviour
➢ It is important to listen to the views of the student who is experiencing the bullying behaviour as to how best to address the situation
➢ the teacher must engage with the students involved and their parents again no more than
20 school days after the initial engagement
➢ important factors to consider as part of this engagement are the nature of the
bullying behaviour, the effectiveness of the strategies used to address the bullying behaviour and the relationship between the students involved
➢ the teacher should document the review with students and their parents to determine if the bullying behaviour has ceased and the views of students and their parents in relation to this the date that it has been determined that the bullying behaviour has ceased should also be recorded
➢ any engagement with external services/supports should also be noted
➢ ongoing supervision and support may be needed for the students involved even where bullying behaviour has ceased
➢ if the bullying behaviour has not ceased the teacher should review the strategies used in consultation with the students involved and their parents. A timeframe should be agreed for further engagement until the bullying behaviour has ceased.
● If it becomes clear that the student who is displaying the bullying behaviour is continuing to display the behaviour, then the school consideration should be given to using the strategies to deal with inappropriate behaviour as provided for within the school’s Code of Behaviour.
● If disciplinary sanctions are considered, this is a matter between the relevant student, their parents and the school
● If a parent(s) is not satisfied with how the bullying behaviour has been addressed by the school, in accordance with the Bí Cineálta Procedures to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour for Primary and Post-Primary Schools, they should be referred to the school’s complaints procedures
● If a parent is dissatisfied with how a complaint has been handled, they may make a complaint to the Ombudsman for Children if they believe that the school’s actions have had a negative effect on the student.
All bullying behaviour will be recorded on ‘The Bullying Incident Report Form’; Appendix 1. This will include the type of behaviour, where and when it took place, and the date of the engagement with students and parents. The actions and supports agreed to address bullying behaviour will be documented. If the bullying behaviour is a child protection concern the matter will be addressed without delay in accordance with Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools.
Section D: Oversight
The principal will present an update on bullying behaviour at each board of management meeting. This update will include the number of incidents of bullying behaviour that have been reported since the last meeting, the number of ongoing incidents and the total number of incidents since the beginning of the school year. Where incidents of bullying behaviour have occurred, the principal will also provide a verbal update which will include where relevant, information relating to trends and patterns identified, strategies used to address the bullying behaviour and any wider strategies to prevent and address bullying behaviour where relevant. This update does not contain personal or identifying information. See Chapter 7 of the Bí Cineálta procedures.
This policy is available to our school community on the school’s website and in hard copy on request. A student friendly version of this policy is displayed in the school and is also available on our website and in hard copy on request.
This policy and its implementation will be reviewed, following input from our school community, each calendar year or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which this policy refers.
Signed: Lily Cronin Chairperson of Board of Management Date: 23/06/’25
Signed: Ann O’Donnell Principal Date: 23/06/’25
Appendix 1 Template for recording bullying behaviour
1. Date of Initial Contact ___________
2. Date of Initial Contact with others involved _________________
3. Date of Review ____________________
4. Final Meeting ____________________
Signed ______________________________ (Relevant Teacher) Date __________________________
Principal/Deputy Principal __________________________ Date ___________________________
1. Name/s of pupil/s being bullied and class group
Name _______________ Class______________/ Name _______________ Class______________
Name _______________ Class______________/ Name _______________ Class______________
2. Name(s) and class(es) of pupil(s) engaged in bullying behaviour
Name _______________ Class______________/ Name _______________ Class______________
Name _______________ Class______________/ Name _______________ Class______________
3. Source of bullying concern/ report (tick)*
● Pupil concerned
● Other Pupil/s
● Parent
● Teacher
● Other __________________________
4. Location of incidents (tick)*
● Yard
● Classroom
● Corridor
● Toilets
● School Bus
● Online
● Other __________________________
5. Type of Bullying (tick) *
● Physical
● Verbal
● Written
● Relational
● Exclusion
● Extortion
● Online Bullying
● Other (specify) ______________________
6. Types of bullying behaviour;
● Disablist bullying behaviour
● Exceptionally able bullying
● Gender Identity bullying
● Homophobic/ Transphobic(LGBTQ+) bullying
● Sexist bullying
● Physical Appearance bullying
● Racist bullying
● Poverty bullying
● Religious Identity bullying
● Sexual Harassment
● Other (specify) _______________________________
7. Brief Description of bullying behaviour;
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Details of actions to be taken (as agreed by all involved)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
* Note: The categories listed in the tables 3, 4, 5 & 6 are not exhaustive lists and may be added to if necessary.
Appendix 2 Annual Review of the Bí Cineálta Policy
The Board of Management (the Board) must undertake an annual (calendar) review of the school’s Bí Cineálta policy and its implementation in consultation with the school community. As part of the review, this document must be completed.
Bí Cineálta Policy Review
1. When did the Board formally adopt its Bí Cineálta policy to prevent and address bullying behaviour in accordance with the Bí Cineálta Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools? Insert date when the Bí Cineálta policy was last adopted by the school ____/____/ 20___
2. Where in the school is the student friendly Bí Cineálta policy displayed?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What date did the Board publish the Bí Cineálta policy and the studentfriendly policy on the school website? ____/____/ 20____
4. How has the studentfriendly policy been communicated to students?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. How has the Bí Cineálta policy and student friendly policy been communicated to parents?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Have all school staff been made aware of the, school’s Bí Cineálta
policy and the Bí Cineálta Procedures to Prevent and Address Bullying
Behaviour for Primary and Post- Primary Schools?
7. Does the Bí Cineálta policy document the strategies that the school uses to prevent bullying behaviour?
8. Has the Board received and minuted the Bullying Behaviour Update
presented by the principal at every ordinary board meeting over the last
calendar year?
9. Has the Board discussed how the school is addressing all reports
of bullying behaviour?
10. Is the Board satisfied that all incidents of bullying behaviour are
addressed in accordance with the school’s Bí Cineálta Policy?
11. Have the prevention strategies in the Bí Cineálta policy been
implemented?
12. Has the Board discussed the effectiveness of the strategies used
to prevent bullying behaviour?
13. How have (a) parents, (b) students and (c) school staff been consulted with as part of the review of the Bí Cineálta Policy?
a_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________b_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c___________________________________________________________________________
14. Outline any aspects of the school’s Bí Cineálta policy and/or its implementation that have been identified as requiring further improvement as part of this review:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
15. Where areas for improvement have been identified, outline how these will be addressed and whether an action plan with timeframes has been developed?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
16. Does the studentfriendly policy need to be updated as a result of this review and if so why?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
17. Does the school refer parents to the complaints procedures if they have a complaint about how the school has addressed bullying behaviour?
18. Has a parent informed the school that a student has left the school due to reported bullying behaviour?
19. Has the Office of the Ombudsman for Children initiated or completed an investigation into how the school has addressed an incident of bullying behaviour?
Appendix 3 Notification of Annual Review of the Bí Cineálta Policy
The Board of Management of Loughquittane NS confirms that the board of management’s annual review of the school’s Bí Cineálta Policy to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour and its implementation was completed at the board of management meeting of
____________________________________
This review was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Department of
Education’s Bí Cineálta Procedures to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour for Primary and
Post-Primary Schools.
Signed:
___________________ Date_23/06/2025
(Chairperson BoM)
___________________ Date_23/06/2025
(Principal)
Date of next review: ___________________