Anti-Bullying Policy
Rationale 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 the Marist Primary School has adopted the following anti-bullying policy within the framework of the school’s overall code of behaviour. The policy, which was formulated collaboratively by the staff of the Marist Primary School in consultation with parents and the Board of Management, it fully complies with the requirements of the Anti- Bullying Procedures for Primary and Primary Schools which were published in September 2013.
The purpose of this policy is A) to raise awareness within our entire school community of the unacceptability of bullying
B) to contribute to our school ethos and culture which encourages children to disclose and discuss incidents of bullying
C) to devise and agree on measures to prevent bullying in our school community and to deal with incidents of bullying, should they occur
Relationship to the School’s Mission In line with our school’s vision, through this Anti-Bullying Policy and our Code of Behaviour we endeavour to ensure that in our school each child is valued equally and that we create an environment in which children will reach their full potential; physically, socially, academically, emotionally and spiritually.
Policy Aims
To create a school ethos which encourages children to disclose and discuss incidents of bullying behaviour
To raise awareness of bullying as a form of unacceptable behaviour with school management, teachers, pupils, parents/guardians
To ensure comprehensive supervision and monitoring measures through which all areas of school activity are kept under observation
To ensure that the school’s Social, Personal and Health Education programme raises awareness of the factors associated with bullying behaviour and develops appropriate knowledge, skills and behaviours To develop procedures for noting and reporting incidents of bullying behaviour
To develop procedures for investigating and dealing with incidents of bullying behaviour
To support those affected by bullying behaviour and those involved in bullying behaviour
To implement a programme of support for those affected by bullying behaviour and for those involved in bullying behaviour
To work with and through the various local agencies in countering all forms of bullying and anti-social behaviour
To continually evaluate the effectiveness of the school’s anti-bullying policy
Principles & Best Practice
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 positive school culture and climate which-
o is welcoming of difference and diversity and is based on inclusivity; o encourages pupils to disclose and discuss incidents of bullying behaviour in a non-threatening environment; and o promotes respectful relationships across the school community;
Effective leadership; A school-wide approach; A shared understanding of what bullying is and its impact; Implementation of education and prevention strategies (including awareness raising measures) that- o build empathy, respect and resilience in pupils; and o explicitly address the issues of cyber-bullying and identity-based bullying including in particular, homophobic and transphobic bullying.
Effective supervision and monitoring of pupils; Supports for staff; Consistent recording, investigation and follow up of bullying behaviour (including use of established intervention strategies); and On-going evaluation of the effectiveness of the anti-bullying policy
Definition of Bullying In accordance with the Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools bullying is defined as follows: 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:
deliberate exclusion, malicious gossip and other forms of relational bullying, 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 disabilities or special educational needs.
Isolated or once-off incidents of intentional negative behaviour, including a once-off offensive or hurtful text message or other private messaging, do not fall within the definition of bullying and will 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.
This policy relates to child and adult behaviour within the school community.
Teachers Responsible for Investigating Alleged Bullying Incidents In most cases a parent of child will bring their concerns to the class teacher or to the supervising teacher of after -school activities if an alleged incident(s)of bullying has occurred after school. The relevant teacher will follow the prescribed prcoedures as detailed in this policy.Where further investigation and action is required the Deputy Principal and /or the Principal will become involved. Both will also adhere to the prescribed procedure of the policy when investigation alleged incidents of bullying.
Anti Bullying Education and Prevention Strategies The education and prevention strategies (including strategies specifically aimed at cyber- bullying and identity-based bullying including in particular, homophobic and transphobic bullying) that will be used by the school are as follows:
The school’s education and prevention strategies will in all cases be appropriate to the the type of bullying and will take into account the age and gender of the the pupils concerned. Curriculum components and programmes which have particular relevance to raising awareness, education and prevention of bullying include the Stay Safe Programme, the Relationship Sexuality Education (RSE) Programme, The Walk Tall Programme and the Religious Education Programme. The following will be also be taught implicity at partciular class levels throughout the school: Self Esteem Programmes which promote positive self worth Age/Class appropriate lessons/programmes which focus on appropriate behaviour and on developing pupils awareness and understanding of bullying , including its causes and effects with particular focus on identy based bullying Programmes/workshops which educate pupils on apparopriate on-line behaviour, on how to stay safe while on-line and in developing a culture of reporting any conerns they may have about cyber bulling Other Initiatives which will be undertaken by the school will include : CPD for all staff on bullying Awareness Day for pupils and parents on bullying
Procedures for Dealing with Incidents of Bullying The school’s procedures for investigation, follow-up and recording of bullying behaviour and the established intervention strategies used by the school for dealing with cases of bullying behaviour are as follows Procedures for Noting and Reporting Incidents of Bullying Behaviour All incidents of alleged bullying no matter how trivial must be noted, dealt with and investigated by the class teacher in the Class Behviour Book or Standardized Report Form (Appendix 2 ) Children will be reminded; ‘In this school we do/ do not .. .’.
All teaching/non- teaching staff and parents have a responsibility to report incidents of bullying witnessed by them or reported to them, to the Principal/Deputy Principal
All teaching/non-teaching staff and parents are best advised to take a calm and unemotional problem-solving approach when dealing with incidents of bullying behaviour
Incidents are best investigated outside of the classroom, quietly on a one to one basis, out of ear-shot of other class members
Parents will be informed at the earliest opportunity of bullying incidents involving their children
Incidents will be reported and tracked in ‘The Yard Incident Book’/ ‘Class Behaviour Book’ and in cases where it is suspected that bullying has occurred the School Standardized Form for Reporting Bullying Behaviour will be completed
(Appendix2) .
Where cases of bullying remain unresolved the matter will be referred to the Board of Management. The Board of Management will take steps as outlined in the Code of Behaviour. For cases of adult bullying, the procedures as outlined in The Anti/Bullying Harsassment Policy and the INTO Management Body’s Publication ’ Working Together Procedures and Policies For Positive Staff Relations’, should be followed
The BOM will be supportive of the Principal in the application of a fair code of behaviour and discipline within the school. (Circular 20/90)
Procedures for Investigating and Dealing with Bullying When analysing incidents of bullying behaviour, the teacher will seek answers to what, where, when, who and why questions, listening first in a calm manner, setting a good example of how to deal with conflict in a non aggressive manner. The details will be noted, outlining what measures were taken to resolve the situation and what follow up occurred. These must be filed and be available.
If a group is involved each member will be interviewed individually to build a complete picture of what happened. Witnesses will also be interviewed. A written report will be kept. In cases where it has been determined that bullying behaviour has occurred, a meeting discussion will take place with the parents/guardians of both parties involved to:
1.Explain the actions being taken and the reasons for them, referring to the school policy 2.Discuss ways in which they can reinforce and support the actions taken by the school Where a breach of Anti Bullying Policy occurs, it is important that the perspective of both the bully and the victim is taken into account. Finding ways of helping children to understand their own behaviour and how they manage their behaviour and relationships is an important facet of managing bullying behaviour. Programmes of support will be made available for pupils involved in bullying. This may involve referral to outside agencies e.g. NEPS Minutes of all meetings held with the Principal will be filed in the Principal’s office
Sanctions Teachers will establish and clearly communicate expectations for behaviour and the unacceptable nature of bullying behaviour. This will ensure that the Anti-Bullying Policy is pro-active rather than reactive. The nature of the bullying and the age of the child will determine the sanction employed. The degree of misdemeanour – minor, serious or gross will be judged by the teacher and Principal based on a common sense approach.
Sanctions will be as follows: Apology to those affected
Reasoning with the child – verbal reprimand and advice
A record is kept. Pupils may be asked to write an account of incidents, indicating what they have learned. Parents and teacher may be required to sign this account
Removal from an activity if endangering self or others
Account given to Principal. Any allegation of bullying will be recorded on the Standardized School Reporting Form ( Appendix 2 ) and kept in the Principal’s office
A Contract/Agreement, outlining necessary behaviour/conduct changes deemed necessary, which will be signed by the child/children involved and witnessed by the Principal. This contract/agreement will be reviewed regularly with the children involved. The Board of Management has authorised the Principal to sanction initial suspension in accordance with the Rules for National Schools and the Education Welfare Act 2000.
In cases where further suspension or expulsion may be necessary the Board of Management will convene and make necessary arrangements.
Support Programmes for Pupils Affected by Bullying Our school will put in place a range of measures to support pupils who may be affected by bullying. The response to children will be determined by their age and type of bullyng experienced. Programmes and services which are currently available within the school include: Care Team: A planned co-ordinated programme of support from all teachers who work with the child affected Access to Support Teacher Access/referal to NEPS or Child Guidance Clinic if necessary Self esteem/ Confidence Building Programmes
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 and membership of the Traveller community.
Implementation, Monitoring and Review
The Revised Anti-Bullying Policy will apply from Janauary 2014. Each staff member is responsible for the implementation of the Anti-Bullying Policy. Within the classroom the teacher monitors her class. Teachers are responsible for the management of behaviour and respond to any instance of unacceptable behaviour they witness. The Principal is responsible for monitoring and reviewing policy at staff level on a regular basis and reports any review the staff deem necessary to the Board of Management. The Board of Management has ultimate responsibility for discipline in the school and a duty to ensure that a fair Anti-Bullying Policy is applied therein. The Board of Management will ensure that the Anti-Bullying Policy is reviewed yearly or more often if the need arises. (Appendix 3 & 4)
Ratifaction & Communication This policy was adopted by the Board of Management on ______[date].
3. This policy has been made available to school personnel, will be published on the school website and made readily accessible to parents and pupils on request A copy of this policy will be made available to the Department and the patron if requested.
4. This policy and its implementation will be reviewed by the Board of Management once in every school year. ( Appendix 3) Written notification that the review has been completed will be made available to school personnel, published on the school website and be readily accessible to parents and pupils on request A record of the review and its outcome will be made available, if requested, to the patron and the Department.
Signed: ______Signed: ______(Chairperson of Board of Management) (Principal)
Date: ______Date: ______
Date of next review: ______
Appendicies 1. Types of Bullying and the Signs/Symptoms of Bullying 2. Template for Recording Bullying Behaviour 3. Checklist for the annual review of the anti – bullying policy and its implementation 4. Notification regading the Board of Management’s annual review of the anti-bullying policy
Appendix 1
Signs/Symptoms of Bullying
The following signs/symptoms may suggest that a pupil is being bullied:-
Anxiety about travelling to/from school Unwillingness to go to school Deterioration in educational performance Pattern of physical illness Unexplained changes in either mood/behaviour Visible signs of anxiety/distress Possessions missing Increased requests for money Unexplained bruising Reluctance and/or refusal to say what is troubling him/her Exclusion Indirect hints/indications e.g. preference for wet days, reference to the absence of certain pupils
School Bullying Behaviour Report Form
1. Name of pupil being bullied and class group
Name ______Class______
2. Name(s) and class(es) of pupil(s) engaged in bullying behaviour ______
3. Source of bullying concern/report 4. Location of incidents (tick (tick relevant box(es))* relevant box(es))* Pupil concerned Playground Other Pupil Classroom Parent Corridor Teacher Toilets Other School Bus Other 5. Name of person(s) who reported the bullying concern 6. Type of Bullying Behaviour (tick relevant box(es)) * Physical Aggression Cyber-bullying Damage to Property Intimidation Isolation/Exclusion Malicious Gossip Name Calling Other (specify)
7. Where behaviour is regarded as identity-based bullying, indicate the relevant category:
Homophobic Disability/SEN Racist Membership of Other (specify) related Traveller community
8. Brief Description of bullying behaviour and its impact
9. Details of actions taken
Signed ______(Relevant Teacher) Date ______
Date submitted to Principal/Deputy Principal ______
Appendix 3 Checklist for annual review of the anti-bullying policy and its implementation
The Board of Management (the Board) must undertake an annual review of the school’s anti-bullying policy and its implementation. The following checklist must be used for this purpose. The checklist is an aid to conducting this review and is not intended as an exhaustive list. In order to complete the checklist, an examination and review involving both quantitative and qualitative analysis, as appropriate across the various elements of the implementation of the school’s anti-bullying policy will be required. Yes /No Has the Board formally adopted an anti-bullying policy that fully complies with the requirements of the Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools? Has the Board published the policy on the school website and provided a copy to the parents’ association? Has the Board ensured that the policy has been made available to school staff (including new staff)? Is the Board satisfied that school staff are sufficiently familiar with the policy and procedures to enable them to effectively and consistently apply the policy and procedures in their day to day work? Has the Board ensured that the policy has been adequately communicated to all pupils? Has the policy documented the prevention and education strategies that the school applies?
Have all of the prevention and education strategies been implemented?
Has the effectiveness of the prevention and education strategies that have been implemented been examined? Is the Board satisfied that all teachers are recording and dealing with incidents in accordance with the policy? Has the Board received and minuted the periodic summary reports of the Principal?
Has the Board discussed how well the school is handling all reports of bullying including those addressed at an early stage and not therefore included in the Principal’s periodic report to the Board? Has the Board received any complaints from parents regarding the school’s handling of bullying incidents? Have any parents withdrawn their child from the school citing dissatisfaction with the school’s handling of a bullying situation? Have any Ombudsman for Children investigations into the school’s handling of a bullying case been initiated or completed? Has the data available from cases reported to the Principal (by the bullying recording template) been analysed to identify any issues, trends or patterns in bullying behaviour? Has the Board identified any aspects of the school’s policy and/or its implementation that require further improvement? Has the Board put in place an action plan to address any areas for improvement?
Signed ______Date ______Chairperson, Board of Management
Signed ______Date ______Principal
Appendix 4 Notification regarding the Board of Management’s annual review of the anti- bullying policy
To: ______
The Board of Management of ______wishes to inform you that: o The Board of Management’s annual review of the school’s anti-bullying policy and its implementation was completed at the Board meeting of ______[date]. o This review was conducted in accordance with the checklist set out in Appendix 4 of the Department’s Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools. Signed ______Date ______Chairperson, Board of Management
Signed ______Date ______Principal