What constitutes bullying?

Whether we accept it or not bullying is more prevalent in schools than we might think. Do we all understand what constitutes bullying?

Bullying can take many forms from the obvious to the less obvious e.g.

  • verbal or non verbal threats of violence
  • comments which are racially or sexually offensive
  • fighting even in a one to one situation with equals
  • demanding money, possessions, etc., through force and/or intimidation
  • vandalising or interfering with other people’s property or work
  • ignoring or shunning or causing others to
  • encouraging or inciting others to bully
  • making fun of by ridiculing, mimicking and using sarcasm
  • name calling
  • getting loans but “forgetting” to repay
  • borrowing equipment without permission

Do we do enough to eliminate it from our classroom?

A policy equips a school with a philosophy; a statement of intent and a plan of action, which clearly communicates, to all that bullying is not tolerated

Positive action to change behaviour
  • DO NOT allow pupils to be subjected to ridicule by their peers.
  • DO NOT allow pupils to be made to look foolish in classroom discussions
  • DO NOT allow pupils to write on or damage other pupil’s property
  • DO NOT allow any sort of intimidation to go unchecked, things knocked off desks, things thrown back, etc.

And how do we eliminate from the corridors, stairways and social areas

  • Do not condone or ignore pushing or “horse play”
  • Do not ignore aggressive behaviour

What should you as a member of staff do?

The effect of bullying on pupils can be quite traumatic. They dread coming to school, they dread intervals and lunchtimes, they dread coming to and from school. It is a real and often insurmountable and daily problem for some.

Do not underestimate the effect of bullying

Be aware of the possibility that bullying could be taking place

What if a pupil reports bullying to you?

  • take any report seriously
  • listen carefully and sympathetically to the pupil
  • find out if parents or other adults have been told
  • as soon as possible inform the appropriate SMT so that parents of both bullies and their victims can be informed
  • tell the pupil what you intend doing
  • bullies must be warned to do nothing to make matters worse
  • tell the bullied pupil of the action to be taken

avoid the common mistakes of the first response e.g.,

  • “don’t get upset”
  • “stick up for yourself”
  • “we’ll sort it out in no time”
  • “that’s nothing when I was at school…”
  • “just ignore it, it will soon die down”

more helpful responses include;

Listening patiently and not jumping to conclusions

  • Investigating sensitively and patiently
  • Seeing their side and acknowledge their feelings

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Updated December 2010