Bullying at school

• bullying can happen anywhere but most commonly it happens in school
• bullying can take many forms, from verbal abuse to physical attack
• bullying is the repeated abuse of a child by one or several people
• bullies are not always older than the child they harm - most bullying is done by children who are the same age as the victim

Bullying is a frightening experience. It can isolate and damage a young person’s self-confidence. Some ongoing bullying can have negative long-term effects on children, leading to depression and even suicidal thoughts and actions.

School days are a time when the influence of other children is very important and fitting in is seen as essential. If children are thought of as different for any reason, they can be picked on and bullied. Sadly, we still live in a society in which to be different in any way can mean ridicule and bullying (often copied from parents) and this ensures that prejudice will continue into the next generation. It is crucial to be alert to the possibility of bullying and make sure you know the telltale signs.

You may think that your child is unlikely to be bullied but the reality is that bullying can happen at any time and to any child.

If your child tells you about a friend or any other child who is being bullied - listen carefully and take this seriously. That child may not be able to say for themselves what is happening.

Today all schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy. However, school action alone cannot guarantee success and so it is important that parents and schools work together.

To prevent bullying talk to your child about their school day. Teach your child to respect others from a young age. Teach your child that prejudice and bullying is unacceptable.

What to do if your child is being bullied

Some warning signs of bullying include running away, not going to school, other learning and behavioural difficulties for no obvious reason, or your child has injuries with no feasible explanation for them.

If your child is being bullied talk to someone at the school about the bullying -

• phone to make an appointment with the class teacher or head of year
• try to stay calm, even if you're angry and upset
• at the meeting, be clear and specific about the bullying - tell them what your child says has been happening, giving names, dates and places
• write down what they say they are going to do about it
• ask if there's anything you can do to help them tackle the bullying
• keep a diary of any bullying that happens after the meeting
• ask for one teacher to contact you and your child regularly to keep you updated
• arrange another time to meet to check how things are going in a few weeks' time

If you're not happy with what the school does, make an appointment to see the head teacher, and ask for your child's class teacher or head of year to be there.

After all this if you're still not happy, write to the chair of governors and explain what has happened so far. Tell them exactly what you would like to happen.

If bullying is happening outside school, consider contacting the family of the child who is bullying and try to find a way to work together to sort it out.

What to do if your child is a bully

Bullies who continually harm other children need support and help as well. They may have had troubles of their own at home, which may have led to their actions. Reporting concerns may help them to get help as well.

There could be lots of reasons why your child is bullying, so stay calm and try to find out what the situation is. Sometimes children bully because they are being bullied themselves, or because they feel pressured to do it by their friends.

You and the school can work together to make sure your child stops upsetting other children.

You can find out more information from these websites -

BBC - bullying (link opens in a new window)
Bullying UK (link opens in a new window)
Kidscape (link opens in a new window)

Contact us

Anti-bullying project
SEN support service
The Priory Centre
Priory Road
Hull
HU5 5RU

Tel: 01482 300 300
Text phone: 01482 300 349
Email: senss@hullcc.gov.uk  

Community anti-bullying project
5 - 7 New George St
Hull
HU2 8AX
Helpline: 0800 9154545