Anti Bullying Presentation for Parents January 2018 1.9.17

Welcome Purpose of this presentation: - To share some of the work that we have been doing with the pupils. - Share the children’s definitions of ‘bullying’. - To establish a shared understanding of ‘bullying’. - To share procedures for dealing with ‘bullying’.

Rationale Education Scotland inspection – November 2017 Questionnaires showed that: 5 pupils (P4-7) disagreed that the school helps them to feel safe. 3 parents (P1-7) disagreed that their child was safe at school. Further exploration….’friendships, disagreements, falling out, bullying’.

What is Bullying? Working together: What do you think bullying is? Define the key characteristics of bullying.

Bullying Definition the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. It can happen face to face or online. https://youtu.be/lKz3bcFMhO0

Bullying Bullying is repetitive. This means that the bully hurts someone over and over. It is not something that happens only once. There is a difference between ‘bullying’ and ‘being mean or unkind’.

Symptoms of bullying Frightened of walking to and from school Becoming withdrawn, anxious or lacking in confidence Feels ill in the morning Loss of appetite Being unable to sleep Possessions go ‘missing’ Asks for or steals money to ‘pay’ the bully Is frightened to say what is wrong Self harming

Bullying behaviour can be: Physical – pushing, poking, kicking, hitting, biting, pinching etc. Verbal  - name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, threats, teasing, belittling. Emotional – isolating others, tormenting, hiding books, threatening gestures,  ridicule, humiliation, intimidating, excluding, manipulation and coercion. Sexual – unwanted physical contact, inappropriate touching, abusive comments, homophobic abuse, exposure to inappropriate films etc. Online /cyber – posting on social media, sharing photos, sending nasty text messages, sexting, social exclusion Indirect - Can include the exploitation of individuals.

Cyber bullying An Anti-Bullying Report (2017), compiled by a leading charity, found that the most common form of bullying now takes place online, with Instagram being reported as the most common, followed by Facebook and then Snapchat. Many of our older children report that they have at least one of these accounts.

Pupil definitions of ‘bullying’ Bullying is something that is hurtful (P3 pupil) When people gang up to hurt people (P7 pupil) When people call people names (P7 pupil) Fighting (P1 pupil) Bullying is when someone keeps on annoying people repetitively (P7 pupil) Somebody keeps on annoying people all the time (PSA) Bullying is when someone is constantly picking on someone (P7 pupil) Bullying is when someone is physically or mentally picking on them (P7 pupil) When people keep calling you names every single day (P3 pupil)

More pupil definitions of bullying Bullying is being bad (P1 pupil) When someone is being mean over and over (PSA) When someone constantly gets on at them (P5 pupil) When someone annoys another kid (P4 pupil) When someone is unkind all the time (P3 pupil) Bullying can happen anywhere (P3 pupil) Sending horrible messages about people online (P7 pupil)

Causes of Bullying behaviour Children who are victims of domestic violence can become ‘bullies’ or be vulnerable to being bullied Children can bully and be victim at the same time May have witnessed a traumatic event Influenced by media, family, wider community Not always obvious, eg, cyber bullying Possibly scared – peer pressure Prejudiced motivated bullying

Some of the work we have done this week P1-3 Recipe for a good friend Friendship hand Good friend/bad friend Role play Discussions Analysis of thoughts/feelings/emotions

Some of the work we have done this week…..Theatre Group

Some of the work we have done this week… P1-3 Recipe for a good friend Friendship hand Good friend/bad friend Role play Discussions Analysis of thoughts/feelings/emotions

P1-3 activities

P4-7 Definition of ‘what is bullying?’ Discussions Creation of ‘Anti-Bullying’ leaflet for parents Role play – different scenarios ‘Choose kind’ written activity about what the children have learned so far

P4-7 activities

What does our school do to help? Worry box Staff at all levels are trained to be vigilant Child protection Class charters – devised by the children Rights Respecting School ‘Emotion Works’ SHANARRI indicators Targeted support from Pupil Equity Fund PSA Support from other agencies Health and Wellbeing curriculum Open door policy

What does Maud school do to help keep me safe? (views of pupils) The teachers and adults keep me safe in school (P6 pupil) If people get hurt, teachers deal with it (P7 pupil) The teachers talk to you about your feelings (P7 pupil) The Head Teacher talks to mums (P5 pupil) The school is enclosed and doors are locked (P7 and P3 pupils) The teachers are there to help me (P3 pupil) The PSA’s have walkie talkies (P7 pupil) Monitors help in the playground (P5 pupil) The teacher keeps me safe (P2 pupil) The teachers are there (P4 pupil)

Steps that we take when responding to incidents of bullying If bullying is suspected or reported, the class teacher (or receiving adult) will discuss this with the Head Teacher and logged in our reporting form. If appropriate, the class teacher will discuss this with all concerned and a written record will be kept in our files. If allegations are reported directly to the Head Teacher, she will keep the class teacher and support staff informed as appropriate. The Head Teacher will investigate where necessary, meeting with and keeping parents updated as required. The school’s positive behaviour system will also support this. Where situations are not resolved or keep occurring, the Head Teacher will seek the support of outside agencies – eg, Educational Psychologist, Behaviour Support Staff, Medical/Social Services or Police.

Getting it Right for Every Child Wellbeing indicators

What to do if you think your child is being bullied or is bullying Parents who are concerned that their child is being bullied or is bullying others in school, should, in the first instance, contact the child’s class teacher or where appropriate, the Head Teacher. Remain calm and rational, try not to get upset. Listen to your child and talk through solutions with them. Talk to your child about who they can go to and what they can do. Work with and support the school to resolve the issue in conjunction with the school’s Anti-Bullying Policy. Allow them time to work through and resolve the issue.

Please… Do not tell your child to react or retaliate. Do not tell your child to confide in another child – this only puts unnecessary pressure on our young people. Use parental controls with electronic devices – monitor your child’s internet/gaming access on a regular basis. Respect minimum age limits for social media use by youngsters – they are there for a reason. Support the work being done in school with your child/ren. Talk to your child regularly! Keep ‘adult only’ conversations out of earshot of your child/ren. Do not post comments on social media.

Useful information https://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/ https://respectme.org.uk www.girfec-aberdeenshire.org/ https://parentzone.org.uk/article/top-tips-if-your-child-being-bullied