St.Louis Infant School

Anti-Bullying Policy St Louis Infant School Monaghan

Introduction:
This policy was formulated by the staff, in consultation with the parents and Board of Management, in order to deal with bullying of any kind physical, verbal or emotional.

Rationale:
1. The existing policy is due for review and amendment.
2. To enable the school community to deal effectively with bullying behaviour.
Relationship to Ethos of School:
Our school cherishes all children and staff equally and wishes to make the best possible provision to ensure that all, regardless of background, circumstances, nationality or religion, have the opportunity to develop their ability, feel valued and live in harmony with each other.
Aims:
1. To prevent bullying by

• Children of children
• Adults of children
• Children of adults
• Adults of adults.

2. To provide helpful strategies to cope with bullying behaviour for both victim and perpetrator.
3. To develop procedures for noting, investigating and dealing with incidents of bullying.

Definition of Bullying
Bullying can be defined as repeated aggression whether it is physical, verbal or psychological conducted by a group or individual against others. It is behaviour which is intentionally aggravating and intimidating. It includes behaviour such as teasing, taunting, threatening, hitting, exclusion or extortion. Isolated incidents of aggressive behaviour while not condoned cannot be described as bullying.
Possible Signs of Bullying:
The Child
1. May be frightened of going out to playground
2. May be unwilling to go to school
3. May begin doing poorly at school work.
4. May have clothes torn or books destroyed without explaination.
5. May become withdrawn or start stammering
6. May have unexplained bruises, scratches or cuts.
7. May refuse to say what is wrong.
8. May give improbable excuses to explain any of above.
9. May display changes in mood or behaviour.
10. May display patterns of physical illness.

Strategies for prevention of bullying:

• Each mainstream class teacher will give lessons on self-esteem and coping with bullying as part of the Stay Safe programme and S.P.H.E. scéim scoile.
• Supervision of all areas of playground at break time.
• Reminders at Assembly and praise and encouragement of good behaviour at Assembly.
• Class will be invited to make up behaviour rules.
• Teachers respond sensitively to disclosures of bullying incidents.
• Clarification of school rules for parents and children.

Procedures for dealing with bullying:

• All reports of bullying will be taken seriously and investigated.
• Teachers will keep record of repeated incidents.
• Teachers will listen to facts, talk to the bullies and victims, and get them to talk to each other.
• Victims will be helped to exercise assertive behaviour such as shouting "No", looking the bully in the eye, telling him/her to stop, walking with confidence or running away if necessary and tell a trusted adult.
• The bully will be asked to apologise and helped to control his/her behaviour..
• Sanctions will be imposed if the behaviour continues. [see Code of Behaviour]
• A check will be made in case child is inviting a bullying response to defiant behaviour.
• Teachers, while supervising in the playground, will break up rowdy groups or gangs.
• Children are asked to wear uniform every day as different clothes etc. can lead to people being singled out.
• Parents will be informed and support solicited if necessary.
• Succeeding teachers will be informed of existing problems in class.
• Serious incidents will be reported and investigated by Principal.
• For cases of adult bullying procedure outlined in the I.N.T.O./ Management publication "Working Together" will be followed.

Board of Management:

• The Board of Management will review and assist in the drafting of the Anti-Bullying Policy.
• The Board of Management will deal with serious incidents of bullying.

Link to other Policies:
Other policies which have a bearing on the Anti-Bullying Policy are:

• Code of Behaviour
• Health and Safety Policy
• Special Education Needs Policy
• S.P.H.E. Plan

Success Criteria

• Observation of behaviour in the playground and throughout the school.
• Positive feedback from staff and children.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Each mainstream class teacher will give lessons on self-esteem and coping with bullying as part of the Stay Safe programme and the S.P.H.E. programme.
• All teachers and members of staff will try to instil confidence in timid children.
• Principal will take an active part in the eradication of bullying.
• Parents will watch out for any signs of bullying and report to the class teacher.
• Teachers, parents and B.O.M. will work together for the common good.

Implementation Date:
This Policy will apply from March 2009.
Review:
This policy will be reviewed annually or more often if necessary.
Ratification and Communication:
This Policy was formally ratified by the Board of Management in March 2009