Anti-Bullying Policy
Meelickmore N.S.

In accordance with the requirements of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 and the code of behaviour guidelines issued by the NEWB, the Board of Management of Meelickmore National School has adopted the following anti-bullying policy within the framework of the school’s overall Code of Behaviour. This policy fully complies with the requirements of the Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools which were published in September 2013.

The Board of Management recognises the very serious nature of bullying and the negative impact that it can have on the lives of pupils and is therefore fully committed to the following key principles of best practice in preventing and tackling bullying behaviour:
A positive school culture and climate which
is welcoming of difference and diversity and is based on inclusivity
encourages pupils to disclose and discuss incidents of bullying behaviour in a non-threatening environment and
promotes respectful relationships across the school community
Effective leadership
A school-wide approach
A shared understanding of what bullying is and its impact
Implementation of education and prevention strategies that
build empathy, respect and resilience in pupils
explicitly address the issues of cyber-bullying and identity-based bullying including in particular, homophobic and transphobic bullying
Effective supervision and monitoring of pupils
Supports for staff;
Consistent recording, investigation and follow up of bullying behaviour (including use of established intervention strategies)
On-going evaluation of the effectiveness of the Anti-Bullying Policy.

3.  Definition of Bullying
In accordance with the Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools bullying is defined as follows:
Bullying is unwanted negative behaviour, verbal, psychological or physical conducted by an individual or group against another person (or persons) and which is repeated over time.
The following types of bullying behaviour are included in the definition of bullying:
deliberate exclusion, malicious gossip and other forms of relational bullying
cyber-bullying and
identity – based bullying such as homophobic bullying, racist bullying, bullying based on a person’s membership of the Traveller community and bullying of those with disabilities or special educational needs.
Isolated or once-off incidents of intentional negative behaviour, including a once-off offensive or hurtful text message or other private messaging, do not fall within the definition of bullying and should be dealt with, as appropriate, in accordance with the school’s Code of Behaviour.
However, in the context of this policy, placing a once-off offensive or hurtful public message, image or statement on a social network site or other public forum where that message, image or statement can be viewed and/or repeated by other people will be regarded as bullying behaviour.
Negative behaviour that does not meet this definition of bullying will be dealt with in accordance with the school’s Code of Behaviour.
Additional information on different types of bullying is set out in Section 2 of the Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools.

4. Relevant Teachers
The relevant teacher(s) for investigating and dealing with bullying are
Class Teachers
Principal: Mr. Liam Horkan
Deputy Principal: Ms. Colette Whelan

5. Strategies for Education and Prevention
The education and prevention strategies (including strategies specifically aimed at cyber- bullying and identity-based bullying including in particular, homophobic and transphobic bullying) that will be used by the school are as follows:

General
Awareness  on the part of staff of the extremely serious nature of bullying and the severe consequences that may result in situations where it is not addressed.
A recognition by staff that any student can be the victim of or the perpetrator of bullying behaviour.
Regular reminders in class of our school ethos, where pupils and staff reflect on the importance of a positive school climate, where each individual is respected and where the development and preservation of self-esteem is valued.
A comprehensive SPHE plan in every class.
Reference to the Anti Bullying posters on display in the school.
A school approach to discipline which employs techniques such as positive motivation and recognition.
Students will be encouraged to be responsible for their own behaviour and to look after each other.
Creating a culture of ‘telling’. Teachers will reinforce the message that anyone who is a victim of bullying should not retaliate, but should inform an adult.
Stay Safe Programme will be taught formally every second year.
Comprehensive supervision and monitoring during all school activities.

Cyber Bullying
Cyber bullying includes communicating via electronic means with the objective of causing hurt, fear, embarrassment, humiliation or distress to others.  Unlike other forms of bullying, a once-off posting can constitute bullying.
Staff will endeavour to identify the signs of cyber bullying and to keep informed about the technologies children commonly use.
Students will be advised on how to protect and prevent themselves from being involved and to report any incidents.
Teachers will dedicate a lesson to cyber bullying.
Students will be supervised at all times of internet access.
Use of student’s mobile phones is not permitted in the school.

Identity Based Bullying
Identity based bullying includes homophobic and transphobic bullying, racist bullying, bullying based on a person’s membership of the Travelling Community and bullying of those with disabilities or special educational needs.
In our School Ethos, we aim to nurture a sense of personal identity, self-esteem and awareness of one’s particular abilities, aptitudes and limitations, combined with respect for the rights and beliefs of others.
Many of the above issues are dealt with on an ongoing basis through our SPHE curriculum and in our Geography curriculum under the People and Other Places strand.

6. Procedures for Investigation, Follow-Up and Recording of Bullying Behaviour
Incidents of bullying will be dealt with as follows:
All reports of bullying will be dealt with by the class teacher initially unless it involves pupils from different classes.  Then the Deputy Principal or Principal will investigate.
When a pupil tells a teacher that he/she is being bullied, it is important that all facts are gathered from both sides.  This will involve using the template Appendix 3 for the alleged bully.
The investigating teacher will try to determine whether bullying has occurred and how best to resolve the situation.
The aim will be to resolve any issued and to restore as far as practicable, the relationships of the parties involved.
The teacher will use a calm, unemotional problem solving approach.
All sides will be listened to separately and notes taken.
The notes will be brief, factual and void of emotional or judgemental language.
Incidents will be investigated outside the classroom to avoid humiliation.
Interviews will be conducted with sensitivity and with due regard to the rights of all pupils concerned.
Other pupils my sometimes provide useful information.
It will be explained to the alleged bully how hurtful their behaviour is and attempts will be made to encourage them to empathise with the alleged victim.
The pupil involved will be given a verbal warning and his/her parents will be informed.
Our Code of Behaviour will be followed.
If the pupil re-offends his/her parents will be called into the school.
Parents will be informed that if the bullying persists the school would have to consider suspension or in extreme cases, expulsion.

Following any incident of bullying the school recognises that issued relating to the prevention of bullying my need to be examined. Whole school focus or specific class lessons my need to be revised dealing with respect, self-esteem, aggression or the issue of bullying itself.

Information re any past bullying issued will be communicated to any new teachers.

Where the school feels an individual needs specific support from outside agencies, a referral to NEPS may be considered.

Copies of any records of Bullying Behaviour will be kept in the Principal’s office.

7. Support Programme
The relevant teacher will endeavour to assure the child that they are the victim and that they did the right thing by telling.
The teacher will monitor the situation in the period after the bullying incident(s) and check regularly with the child/children to see how things are going.
The Principal will follow up by checking regularly to see how the situation has developed.
Information re any past bullying issues will be passed on to new teachers.
Where it is deemed necessary, the child in consultation with the parents may be referred for counselling.

The school cannot be responsible for disagreements between pupils that happen outside the school grounds but will make reasonable efforts to co-operate with parents in assisting them to resolve the issue.

8. Supervision and Monitoring of Pupils 
The Board of Management confirms that appropriate supervision and monitoring policies and practices are in place to both prevent and deal with bullying behaviour and to facilitate early intervention where possible.

9. Prevention of Harassment 
The Board of Management confirms that the school will, in accordance with its obligations under equality legislation, take all such steps that are reasonably practicable to prevent the sexual harassment of pupils or staff or the harassment of pupils or staff on any of the nine grounds specified i.e. gender including transgender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community.

10. This policy was adopted by the Board of Management on           _____________________

11. This policy has been made available to school personnel, provided to the Parents’ Association and is readily accessible to parents and pupils on request. A copy of this policy will be made available to the Department and the patron if requested.

12. This policy and its implementation will be reviewed by the Board of Management once in every school year. Written notification that the review has been completed will be made available to school personnel, be readily accessible to parents and pupils on request and provided to the Parents’ Association. A record of the review and its outcome will be made available, if requested, to the patron and the Department.