Bullying is repeated aggression. verbal, psychological or physical conducted by an individual or group against others.

"The role of the school is to provide the highest possible standard of education for all its pupils. A stable, secure learning environment is an essential
requirement to achieve this goal. Bullying behaviour by its very nature undermines and dilutes the quality of education and imposes psychological damage."

Department of Education.

Bullying affects not only the victim but the entire class, school and outside community. Bullying thrives in a secretive atmosphere and it is controllable only when the whole school community accepts that they are being responsible
when they report bullying.

Bullying Behaviours

• Physical Aggression:

This includes pushing, shoving, punching, kicking, tripping people and occasionally severe physical assaults. "Mess" fights can be used to disguise more serious intentions.

• Damage to Property:
Damage to personal property being used as a weapon – bicycles, clothes, books, pencil cases and bags can be broken, torn, hidden or defaced.

• Extortion: Victims can be forced to hand over money or steal for the bully. Threats of physical violence if victims do not comply.

• Intimidation: This is where aggressive body language is used as a weapon, including the voice and "the look".

• Abusive Phone Calls: Anonymous phone calls or phone calls of a threatening nature are identified as verbal intimidation.

• Isolation: Being deliberately isolated, ignored or excluded from group activities is bullying. It is usually set up by one person and is accompanied by notes, drawings, comments loud enough to be heard, groups giggling/laughing
when victim is near.

• Name Calling: Persistent name calling directed at the same person, which hurts or humiliates is a form of bullying. Most refer to physical appearance or academic ability (both high and low).

• “Slagging”: “Slagging” can be simply good-natured banter/teasing between friends but when this is repeated and personal it becomes bullying.

• Sexual Harassment:
Remarks of a suggestive/sexual nature or about a persons sexual orientation are forms of bullying.

Warning Signs

Bullying has an effect on victims of lowering self esteem and confidence and causes insecurity and anxiety. While they may not talk about it, their suffering can often be obvious in mood changes and behaviour. Early intervention and recognition is vital.

• Anxiety travelling to and from school. Asking parents to pick them up, avoiding regular times or routes.

• Unwillingness or refusal to go to school, mitching.

• Deterioration in school work, interest, enthusiasm, concentration.

• Pattern of minor physical illness (headache, stomach ache etc.).

• Unexplained changes of mood, especially after holidays, week-ends.

• Visible signs of distress/anxiety (vomiting, crying, sleeplessness, not eating, withdrawing, bedwetting, nightmares, stammering).

• Out of character outbursts about other students or teachers.

• Possessions missing or damaged.

• Increasingly requesting/stealing money.

• Unexplained bruises, cuts or torn clothing.

• Reluctance/refusal to talk about what is wrong.

Where does bullying go on?

• Playground/Sports field – physical contact and noise levels often mask bullying.

• Toilets, cloakrooms, showers,
etc.

• Corridors

• Local shops etc.

• On way to school

• Classes – Subtle glances, comments, notes, pinches etc.

Reporting
Procedure

Bullying must be reported in all instances.

Anyone may report it:- victim, parents, friends, other students, by direct report, letter, phone-call, class comment or essay to any staff member.

Once a report is made …

• The staff member receiving the report will as soon as possible report the allegations to Principal or Deputy-Principal or Year Tutor.

• The staff member will inform the Class Tutor and the Year Tutor. The Year Tutor will co-ordinate all information and monitors of all instances of bullying in his year group.

• The Class Tutor will discuss strategies with pastoral team (guidance counsellor, pastoral care co-ordinator, remedial teacher, chaplain and other teachers).

• The staff involved in dealing with the case will subsequently monitor behaviour of bullies and report any change (or lack of it) to the Year Tutor and Class Tutor.

How
bullying is dealt with …

Confidentiality is essential. Those who report must feel confident that the information will not be repeated outside the agreed structure.

It is vital that information is acted upon as quickly and discreetly as possible and is not ignored.

The most effective approach is low key.

The victim and alleged bully will be spoken to separately.

The victim will be interviewed to express support, to gather information, to assure him that action will be taken and to explain that action.

The pastoral care team will assist the victim in coping with the results of being bullied and in developing ways of dealing with any possible future incidents.

The alleged bully will be interviewed to present the reported information, to gather further information and to confirm or deny the allegations.

If bullying is confirmed…

Parents of the victim and the bully will be informed.

The bully will be advised that the reported behaviour must cease.

Positive changes in the bully’s behaviour will be encouraged and rewarded. The bully may need help in understanding his/her behaviour and learning new and more appropriate ways of behaving .

The bully and his parents will be clearly informed that any further instance of bullying will result in suspension or dismissal.

In cases where school rules have been broken (e.g. fighting, deliberate injury, damage to victim's property etc.) normal disciplinary action will be taken.

Staff members/Class Tutor/Year Tutors will monitor the on-going situation and discreetly check back with the victim/friends later.

The Pastoral Care Co-ordinator will monitor the investigation of an alleged incident of bullying.

A record of confirmed incidents of bullying will be kept.

Class/Group Intervention

A class or other group may, where deemed appropriate, be dealt with collectively by the Pastoral Care Team.

General

• It is vital that effective communication exits within the school community – parents, Students and Teachers – and that "telling" is the norm.

• Those not reporting what they know are passively supporting the bully. Bullying works only if others are willing to ignore it.

• Everyone has a responsibility for others

• Pupils will discuss bullying as part of the pastoral care and religious education programme.

• Members of the Pastoral Team are always available for support and advice.

• Bullying is a clear breach of the school rules.