Introductory Statement

This policy was drawn up by the teachers, parents and Board of Management of Scoil Mochua in order to devise school-based measures to prevent and deal with bullying and anti-social behaviour.

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

This policy is in keeping with the characteristic ethos of the school, which aims to nurture each child to develop his/her potential in a caring environment. Bullying behaviour is contrary to this ethos as it undermines and dilutes the quality of education and has an adverse affect on victims.

Policy Aims

1. To create a school ethos which encourages children to disclose and discuss incidents of bullying behaviour.
2. To raise awareness of bullying as a form of unacceptable behaviour with school management, teaching and non-teaching staff, pupils and parents/guardians.
3. To ensure comprehensive supervision and monitoring measures through which areas of school activity are kept under observation.
4. To develop procedures for noting and reporting incidents of bullying behaviour.
5. To develop procedures for investigating and dealing with incidents of bullying behaviour.
6. To develop a programme of support for those affected by bullying behaviour and for those involved in bullying behaviour.
7. To liase with various local agencies in countering all forms of bullying and anti-social behaviour.
   

Procedures for Noting and Reporting an incident of Bullying Behaviour

The following procedures have been drawn up in accordance with the School Philosophy and other policies in place in the school ie. Code of Behaviour and Discipline, Health and Safety Statement, Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures, Social Personal and Health Education Policy, Relationships and Sexuality Education, Stay Safe Programme, Staff Guidelines and Procedures, Yard Supervision and Procedures, Home-School Links.

1. All children are encouraged to report incidents of bullying and anti-social behaviour against them. It should be made clear to pupils that when they report incidents of bullying, they are not telling tales but acting responsibly.
2. Teachers should be vigilant for early signs of indiscipline and/or significant change in mood or behaviour of pupils.
3. Teachers investigating cases of bullying should keep a written record of their discussions with those involved. In some cases it may be appropriate to ask those involved, to write down their account of the incident(s).
4. Serious cases of bullying behaviour, by or against pupils, should be referred, by the teacher, to the Principal or Deputy Principal.
5. Parents/guardians of victims and bullies should be informed by the Principal or Deputy Principal with a view to discussing and ultimately resolving the problem.
6. Parents/guardians should make their enquiries regarding incidents of bullying behaviour to the class teacher, Principal or Deputy Principal.
7. Any correspondence from parents/guardians regarding bullying behaviour must be retained in the school files.
8. Non-teaching staff eg. Secretary, caretaker, cleaners are encouraged to report any incidents of bullying behaviour witnessed by them, or mentioned to them, to the Principal or Deputy Principal.
9. In the case of a complaint regarding a staff member, this should normally be raised with the person in question and if necessary, the Principal or Deputy Principal.
   

Procedures for Investigating and Dealing with Bullying

1. Staff members dealing with incidents of bullying behaviour reported to them should take a calm, unemotional problem-solving approach. Such incidents are best investigated outside the classroom situation and should be conducted with sensitivity and due regard to the rights of the pupils concerned.
2. When analysing incidents of bullying behaviour, teachers should seek answers to the questions of what, where, when, who and why.
3. Staff members investigating cases of bullying should keep a written record of their discussions with those involved. In some cases it may be appropriate to ask those involved, to write down their account of the incident(s).
4. If a group is involved, each member should be interviewed individually and asked for his/her account of what happened and then the group should be interviewed collectively.
5. In cases where it has been determined that bullying behaviour has occurred, the teacher and/or Principal/Deputy Principal should meet with the parents/guardians of both the victim and the bully. At this meeting, any action that is to be taken and the reason for it should be explained within the framework of the school policy. Ways in which the parents/guardians can support the actions of the school should be discussed.
6. Where appropriate, arrange separate follow-up meetings with the two parties involved with a view to possibly bringing them together at a later date.
7. Various approaches may be taken in dealing with pupils involved in bullying or anti-social behaviour eg.

• Reasoning with the child/children involved.
  
• Conducting a class lesson dealing with respect, self-esteem or the issue of bullying may be effective in countering the unacceptable behaviour
  
• Reprimanding the child/children involved in accordance with the school’s Code of
• Discipline and Behaviour. (See pages 31 – 33 of the publication ‘Your Child in Scoil Mochua’).
  
• In instances of serious and repeated bullying or anti-social behaviour the Board of
• Management should be informed. (See pages 32, 33 of the publication ‘Your Child in Scoil Mochua’).
  
• Having regard to the nature of the problem, it may in certain circumstances be necessary to refer the individual(s) involved for specific support from outside agencies.

This policy may be amended and/or revised from time to time in accordance with Department of Education and Science regulations and guidelines.