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Anti-Bullying Policy

 Loughquittane N.S. Anti-Bullying Policy  

  1. In accordance with the requirements of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 and the code of behaviour guidelines issued by the NEWB, the Board of Management of Loughquittane National School has adopted the following anti-bullying policy within the framework of the school’s overall Code of Behaviour. This policy fully complies with the requirements of the Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools which were published in September 2013.
  2. The Board of Management recognises the very serious nature of bullying and the negative impact that it can have on the lives of pupils and is therefore fully committed to the following key principles of best practice in preventing and tackling bullying behaviour:

(a) A positive school culture and climate which

(b) Effective leadership

(c) A school-wide approach

(d) A shared understanding of what bullying is and its impact

(e) Implementation of education and prevention strategies (including awareness raising measures) that-

(f) Effective supervision and monitoring of pupils

(g) Supports for staff

(h) Consistent recording, investigation and follow up of bullying behaviour (including use of established intervention strategies); and

(i) On-going evaluation of the effectiveness of this anti-bullying policy.

 

  1. Definition of Bullying: Bullying is unwanted negative behaviour, verbal, psychological or physical conducted, by an individual or group against another person (or persons) and which is repeated over time 

The following types of bullying behaviour are included in the definition of bullying:

However, in the context of this policy, placing a once-off offensive or hurtful public message, image or statement on a social network site or other public forum where that message, image or statement can be viewed and/or repeated by other people will be regarded as bullying behaviour.

Negative behaviour that does not meet this definition of bullying will be dealt with in accordance with the school’s Code of Behaviour.

 

  1. The relevant teacher(s) for investigating and dealing with bullying are as follows: 

 

A pupil or parent may bring a bullying concern to any teacher in the school. Individual teachers must take appropriate measures regarding reports of bullying behaviour in accordance with the school’s anti-bullying policy.

The relevant teacher responsible for investigating and dealing with/resolving bullying incidents will be the class teacher(s) of the pupils involved.

The relevant teacher(s) should keep the principal teacher/ deputy principal informed of incidents and of progress being made to resolve these.

Where the relevant teacher is concerned that the gravity of the situation warrants immediate action from the principal, he/she should initially consult with the principal/deputy principal.

If it is agreed that the seriousness of the bullying behaviour warrants it, the principal/ deputy principal will assume the role of relevant teacher to investigate the bullying behaviour.

 

  1. The education and prevention strategies (including strategies specifically aimed at cyberbullying and identity-based bullying including in particular, homophobic and transphobic bullying) that will be used by Loughquittane N.S. are as follows:-

 

  1. The procedures for investigation, follow-up and recording of bullying behaviour and the established intervention strategies used by Loughquittane N.S.for dealing with cases of bullying behaviour are as follows-

 

The School Recognises that: 

 

 

 

Investigation of Bullying:

 

protection measures e.g. door to office/room will be left open.

 

and the pupil may be asked to give his own written account, if this is appropriate.

 

 

 

In cases where bullying behaviour has occurred, parents/guardians of the two parties involved will be contacted. They will be referred to this school policy. Action being taken and the reason for it will be explained to them and ways in which they can rein-force or support the school action will be explored.

 

Follow Up: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recording of Bullying Behaviour: 

 

(see Section 6.8 of the Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools

  1. Loughquittane National School’s programme of support for working with pupils affected by bullying is as follows:

they did the right thing by telling.

regularly check  with the child/children to see how things are going.

each year.

to participate in activities designed to raise their self-esteem, to develop friendships and

social skills  and build resilience e.g. –

appropriate agencies to organise same. This may be for the pupil affected by bullying or

involved in the bullying behaviour.

bullying behaviour must be reported to a teacher.

 

  1. Supervision and Monitoring of pupils

The Board of Management confirms that appropriate supervision and monitoring policies

and practices are in place to both prevent and deal with bullying behaviour and to facilitate

early intervention where possible.

 

  1. Prevention of Harassment 

The Board of Management confirms that the school will,  in accordance with its obligations

under equality legislation, take all such steps that are reasonably practicable to prevent

the sexual harassment of pupils or staff, or the harassment of pupils or staff on any of the

nine grounds specified, i.e.. gender including transgender, civil status, family status, sexual

orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community.

 

  1. This policy was developed by the staff of Loughquittane N.S. , approved by the Parents’

Association and adopted by the Board of Management. It has been made available to

school personnel and published on the school’s website. A copy of this policy will be made

available to the DES and the school patron if requested.

 

  1. The Board of Management of Loughquittane N.S. will review this policy and its

implementation once in every school year. Written notification that the review has been

completed will be made available to school personnel, published on the website and

provided to the Parents’ Association. A record of review and its outcome will be made

available to the patron and the DES if requested.

 

 

Signed: Lily Cronin                              Signed: Alison Coffey

Chairperson BOMPrincipal

 

Date:03/03/2015                   Date: 03/03/2015

 

Date of next review: March 2017