What is Bullying?
Bullying may be defined as the unjustified, prolonged display of aggressive verbal or physical behaviour on the part of one individual or group toward another. Much harmless childhood play may appear aggressive in its nature and this is quite normal. However, aggression becomes unacceptable when it is used to torment, to inflict pain or to humiliate others. It is behaviour motivated by such intentions that merits the term “bullying”.
Bullying is as common in the workplace or the home as in the school playground, although it is frequently disguised as “being assertive”, “standing up for one’s rights”, “exercising discipline” or “controlling others”.
The responsibility for tackling the problem of bullying lies not only with the school but equally with families and the community.
Educational Services is committed to working in partnership with others to eradicate bullying in schools.
Every school has a policy on pupil care, welfare and positive behaviour that includes anti-bullying statements. This will state the general strategies and procedures in place within the school and outline the action taken to combat bullying. This may include aspects such as:
What will the school do if my child is involved in a bullying incident?
If a school is satisfied when investigating an incident that bullying has taken place, then the parents of all those children involved will be informed.
Staff will work with parents to decide on the best ways for both school and family to support the children concerned.
The outcome of this meeting should be an agreement between you as to what investigation or action is required.