Steps That Schools Take Against Bullying

Bullying is a very serious concern for any parent especially when their child starts at a new school. It can be a daunting time for both parents and children alike and it is important to know and understand how both the school and other parents deal with issues of bullying if and when they arise.

Of course it would be ideal to say that bullying does not take place in school but unfortunately it does and in many varied forms.

Types of Bullying

Before establishing what schools can do to reduce bullying within their own confines it is worth considering what constitutes bullying to begin with.

Bullying does not necessarily have to involve inflicting any kind of physical abuse on another pupil although that does unfortunately happen. Bullying can also be undertaken as:

• Racial Abuse
• Taunting
• Physical Contact
• Verbal Abuse
• Cyber-Bullying

These types of bullying can sometimes be very difficult to detect and are only brought to the attention of both teachers and parents alike if a pupil is being bullied so much that their attitude to school, behaviour and interaction with others is affected.

What Do Schools Do If They Discover Bullying

If a teacher is informed of an instance of bullying within the confines of the school they must act on it immediately in order to prevent it happening again. However having said this it is sometimes very difficult to have the child that is being bullied admit to being bullied for fear of further reprisals.

It is customary for the Head Teacher to issue an automatic suspension to any pupil found to be bullying another pupil. This suspension is enforced and will remain in place until the bullying pupil’s parents attend a meeting with the Head Teacher to discuss how things will progress in the future.

If the bullying is another instance in a long line of complaints then the Head Teacher must consult with the Local Education Authority with reference to the long term exclusion of said pupil from his or her school.

Parents can appeal against any such decision but during the time leading up to the appeal the pupil responsible for the bullying may not attend classes in the usual manner – this is another means of enforcing the punishment.

Helping To Combat Bullying in Schools

A number of schools in the United Kingdom now do not allow the use of mobile telephones during school time in order to cut down on the amount of so-called ‘Cyber Bullying’ – a trend which has worryingly emerged since the advent and mass production of cheap mobile telephones.

Schools also monitor the Internet access of all children in their Information Technology classes so that bullying via email and message boards can be minimised. Any child found to be using such methods of bullying are liable for instant suspension until the matter is resolved.

Local celebrities are often asked to come and talk to school children about their own childhoods and any instances of bullying they suffered in the hope that individuals whom the children look up to can persuade them to come forward if they are being bullied or likewise if another pupil is being bullied.

Local Authorities are now providing training for teachers and teaching staff in how to deal with potential volatile situations which may arise as a result of bullying. This training is regularly updated and kept in line with government standards and requirements.

If you would like to know more about your child’s school policy on bullying it is worth arranging an interview with the Head Teacher or alternatively the School Welfare Officer. Also your Local Education Authority will be able to provide you with information and literature on how to help teachers combat bullying in and out of school.