Dealing with Bullying: Top Tips for Teachers.
Anti-Bullying Workshops are now an essential part of education for primary school students, and all students for that matter. It’s also really important that all teachers have a good understanding of bullying too.
The Anti-Bullying Alliance have released a new Animation on Top Tips for teachers on dealing with bullying. This animation was co-written by young people as part of the All Together programme.
The Anti-Bullying Alliance asked young people who had experienced bullying for their top tips, and this is what the animation video covers:
If you see bullying or possible bullying going on, don’t ignore it.
This is so important. Bullying is such a sensitive subject that people can find difficult to talk about, but it’s important that young people feel as though they’re being looked out for and that they matter. This can really improve their feelings of wellbeing and positively impacts mental health. If you think you see bullying taking place, don’t just turn a blind eye. It’s essential that all members of staff have an understanding of how to deal with bullying.
2. Bullying is bullying wherever it takes place.
With the internet and technology now playing a massive part in young people’s lives, cyberbullying is now something that a lot of students also face. If bullying takes place online or outside of school grounds, it still requires action. We all have a responsibility to stand up to bullying.
3. Don’t just tell the person you will “deal with it”, explain what you are going to do, and check the pupil is happy with this approach.
Actively include the student who has been experiencing bullying in your plan to take action, make sure they are happy with how the bullying will be dealt with and explain what you are going to do and why. Don’t just tell them you will “deal with it” and leave them wondering about what will happen next.
4. Give the pupils ownership of their behaviour.
This year’s theme for Anti-Bullying Week is “Choose Respect”, pushing forward the idea that bullying is a choice, just like respect. Let the students come up with their own class rules about how they should all behave. It should also be the student’s choice who they tell about their bullying, which is why it is so important for all members of staff to have a clear understanding about how to deal with bullying.
5. Don’t forget about a bullying incident as soon as it’s resolved.
“Keep an eye on all students involved and watch out for any negative behaviour.” A follow up meeting with students involved can also be a good idea, it serves as a good reminder to the students that you care about their wellbeing and encourage an attitude of respect within the school.
The animation also references that “bullying can have many long term effects on a young person’s physical and mental health, and they may need more emotional support than you first realised.”
6. Practice what you preach.
If students see members of staff acting in a negative manner, they may take on this behaviour themselves. Make sure that all members of staff treat each other with respect, and behave in a positive manner throughout the school day, to set a good example for their pupils.
“Tackling bullying isn’t easy, but young people tell us that the right approaches make a huge difference to their lives.”
We love this animation from the Anti-Bullying Alliance and the All Together Programme. If you feel as though you could have a better understanding of dealing with bullying, make sure you ask for help. We all have a responsibility to keep young people safe, so make sure everyone at your school has a good understanding of bullying, and your whole school anti-bullying policy too.
And if you’d like to book an Anti-Bullying Workshop for Anti-Bullying Week, or any other time in the year, you can find out more by clicking here.
