Your Schools: Stop the Bullies!
Oct 12 2010 By Diane Parkes
HOW do you know if your child is being bullied and what can you do to help if you fear they are?
This is one of the most common fears expressed by parents as they leave their children at the school gates every day. Bullying exists in playgrounds, classrooms and now once children have gone home for the evening with the advent of cyberbullying. But there is plenty of help for parents and children. As part of the Birmingham Mail Speak Out Stop Bullying campaign we have compiled this cut-out-and-keep guide for parents, children and schools with everything you need to know. The best way to stop bullying is to admit it exists, talk about it and encourage children to tell.
This is why for the sixth year running the Birmingham Mail and ChildLine have joined forces on our award-winning campaign
Is your child being bullied?
Your child may not feel ready to tell you they are being bullied but according to anti-bullying organisation Kidscape there are possible signs:
* Fear of walking to and from school
* Fhanging their usual route
* Asking to be driven to school
* Being reluctant to go to school
* Feeling ill in the morning
* Truanting
* Beginning to do poorly in school work
* Regularly coming home with clothes or books destroyed or missing possessions
* Coming home hungry
* Becoming withdrawn, lacking confidence, becoming distressed and anxious
* Crying
* Having nightmares
* Refusing to talk about what is wrong or offering improbable excuses
* Beginning to bully other children or becoming aggressive and unreasonable
What a parent can do
* If you suspect your child is being bullied speak to them, make a note of all they say, including who are the bullies, where and when the bullying is taking place and what form the bullying takes.
* Be calm. Tell your child they were right to inform you and that they must report any further incidents to you and to their teacher.
* Take it up with the school. Make an appointment to see your child’s class teacher or form tutor and then explain what is happening, passing on all the details you have.
* Ask for action. Make sure the teacher gives you details of how they will deal with the situation and make a record of it.
* Keep in touch. Let them know what results their actions have led to, whether your child is now no longer being bullied or whether the bullying is continuing.
* If you are not happy with the school’s response ask to see its anti-bullying procedures to ensure they are being followed.
* Make an appointment to meet with the head teacher, explain your difficulties and make a record of the meeting.
* If the problem still continues, parents have the option of writing to the chair of governors or the matter can be taken up with the director of education for your local education authority.
