Bullying

Bullying is a frightening experience which can isolate a child and damage self-confidence.

Unfortunately, bullying takes place both in and out of school. Parents, carers, teachers, and other professionals have a duty to take action if they suspect or discover that a child is being bullied.

Bullying can seriously affect your child. It doesn’t just involve physical abuse – it can include emotional and verbal abuse, racist remarks and cyberbullying.

The impact of bullying can often be underestimated. It is important that as a parent or carer you can recognise the signs and impact of bullying and get help for your child. 

Bullying can include:

• name calling
• making things up to get others into trouble
• being put down or humiliated
• being teased
• stealing others belongings or money
• damaging others belongings
• taking friends away to make someone feel excluded
• cyberbullying
• spreading rumours
• threats and intimidation
• making abusive phone calls or sending abuse texts and e-mails

Signs of bullying can include:

• coming home with cuts, bruises, or injuries
• torn clothes
• asking for stolen possessions to be replaced
• often ‘losing’ lunch or dinner money
• changes in mood or more often bad tempered
• wanting to stay at home
• aggression with brothers and sisters
• anxiety and insecurity
• being quiet and withdrawn

If you suspect that your child, or a child you know is being bullied, talk to his/her teacher or the school's Head Teacher.

By law, all state (not private) schools must have a behaviour policy in place. This includes measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils.

This policy is decided by the school. All teachers, pupils and parents must be told what it is.