Anti-Bullying Policy
Loughquittane N.S. Anti-Bullying Policy
- 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.
- 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
- is welcoming of difference and diversity and is based on inclusivity;
- encourages pupils to disclose and discuss incidents of bullying behaviour in a non-threatening environment; and
- promotes respectful relationships across the school community.
(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-
- build empathy, respect and resilience in pupils; and
- explicitly address the issues of cyber-bullying and identity-based bullying including in particular, homophobic and transphobic bullying;
(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.
- 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:
- Physical aggression, Intimidation, Extortion
- Isolation/deliberate exclusion, malicious gossip and other relational bullying
- Name calling
- Damage to property
- Cyber-bullying
- Identity-based bullying such as homophobic bullying, racist bullying, bullying based on a person’s membership of the Traveller community and bullying of those with dis-abilities or special educational needs’
- Isolated or once-off incidents of intentional negative behaviour do not fall within the definition of bullying and should be dealt with, as appropriate, in accordance with the school’s code of behaviour.
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.
- 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.
- 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:-
- A school-wide approach to fostering respect for all members of the school community, and to the enhancement of pupil self-esteem through curricular and extra-curricular activities.
- Whole staff professional development on bullying
- Vigilant supervision of pupils in classrooms, on school grounds and during extra-curricular activities, including careful monitoring student use of IT within the school.
- Development and promotion of an Anti-Bullying code including display of key messages throughout the school
- Through the implementation of the SPHE curriculum, specifically through the delivery of the “Stay Safe”, “Walk Tall”, Health Promoting Schools and R.S.E.programmes, the Prim_Ed Cyberbullying manuals, and through guest speakers including Community Garda, Liam O’Doherty (Stop & Share) and Kerry Life Education.
- The school’s Anti-Bullying policy is discussed with pupils and parents / guardians are made aware that this policy is available to view or download on the school website.
- School policies that are particularly relevant to bullying include the Code of Behaviour, Child Protection Policy, I T and the S.P.H.E. curriculum plans.
- 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:
- early intervention is crucial;
- a calm, unemotional problem-solving approach should be adopted;
- incidents are best investigated outside the classroom situation;
- humiliation of victim or bully should be avoided at all costs;
- interviews should be conducted with sensitivity and with due regard to the rights of all pupils concerned;
- other pupils can sometimes provide useful information;
- dealing effectively with conflict in a non-aggressive manner is setting an ex-ample for pupils;
- parental input and co-operation is valuable;
- both victim and bully need help.
Investigation of Bullying:
- All interviews will take place outside the classroom situation with due regard to child
protection measures e.g. door to office/room will be left open.
- A written record of discussions will be kept (see Appendix 4; Incident record Sheet)
and the pupil may be asked to give his own written account, if this is appropriate.
- If a group is involved, pupils will be interviewed individually and then the group will be met together, where each will be asked to give his account. Each member of a group will be helped to handle the possible pressures that often face them from other members after interview by teacher/Principal.
- If it is concluded that a pupil has engaged in bullying behaviour, it will be made clear to him that he is in breach of the schools Anti-Bullying Policy.
- Efforts will be made to assist the pupil in seeing the situation from the victim’s point of view.
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:
- Follow-up contact with the two parties may be organised to take place within one month of the investigation. The possible therapeutic effect of a bringing together of victim and bully at a future date will be considered if the victim is ready and agreeable to do so.
- Following any incident of bullying, the school recognises that issues relating to the prevention of bullying may need to be examined. This will involve exploration of suitable programmes with victims, bullies and their peers. Whole school focus or specific class lessons may need to be revised dealing with respect, self-esteem, aggression or the issue of bullying itself.
- If, during the course of the investigation, there are child protection concerns, the Children First 2011 guidelines become relevant as does the schools Child Protection Policy.
- Information re any past Bullying issues will be passed on to new teacher at the start of each year.
- Where the school feels an individual needs specific support from outside agencies, a referral to NEPS will be considered.
- The effectiveness of this school policy will be assessed regularly with regard to the level and type of bullying behaviour that may be happening in the school. Amendments will be made to reflect any change in approach deemed necessary.
Recording of Bullying Behaviour:
- Where a bullying investigation has been carried out the class teacher will keep a written record of the incident (see Appendix 4.)
- Where the principal has used the Bullying Incident Investigation Record Form (see-Appendix 3), a copy will be kept in the office along with his/her own records of the investigation.
(see Section 6.8 of the Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools
- Loughquittane National School’s programme of support for working with pupils affected by bullying is as follows:
- The relevant teacher will endeavour to assure the child that they are the victim and that
they did the right thing by telling.
- The teacher will monitor the situation in the period after the bullying incident/s and
regularly check with the child/children to see how things are going.
- The Principal will follow up by checking in regularly on how the situation has developed.
- Information re any past Bullying issues will be passed on to new teacher at the start of
each year.
- All in-school supports and opportunities will be provided for the pupils affected by bullying
to participate in activities designed to raise their self-esteem, to develop friendships and
social skills and build resilience e.g. –
- Buddy / Peer mentoring system
- Group work such as circle time
- If pupils require counselling of further supports the school will endeavour to liaise with the
appropriate agencies to organise same. This may be for the pupil affected by bullying or
involved in the bullying behaviour.
- Pupils should understand that there are no innocent bystanders and that all incidents of
bullying behaviour must be reported to a teacher.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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