Bullying - how to deal with it?

[jollyboysmum]

My niece (nearly 9) is being bullied by 3 girls - formerly her best friends. Sister reported it to head of year, niece has moved class this week, but the girls are persisting in harassing her at play time. To deal with this, the head of year now says my niece should stay in at play time. Head of year will not involve the parents - one of whom is a teacher at the school. How can I help my poor niece and sister? Desperately worried and sad for them both.

[WorraLiberty]

She's being bullied and they think they're 'solving' it by moving the victim out of the class??

That's dreadful.

Have they said why they won't involve the parents?

Do the school not agree that she's being bullied?

[jollyboysmum]

The school won't involve the parents as they said it's the children's fault and not their parent's - but I think it's the parents role to correct their child's (bad) behaviour. Of course now the bullying continues....

[PopMusicShoobyDoobyDoA]

Re-post this on bullying section. They will give you a lot of help.

Essentially, the first step is to get the school's policy on bullying and also put your complaint in writing. They have a duty of care to your niece and it sounds like they are making her the problem, rather than the bullies. They are victimising her all over again. Forget the head of year, ask for an urgent meeting with the Head Teacher. Insist that your niece is looked after and bullies are talked to and kept an eye on, including informing the parents. If things are not resolved so that your niece is back in the playground and protected, then write to chair of governors. Make sure to put it all in writing and keep any notes of any further bullying, if it happens again.

But re-post in bullying section for sure.

[Snowsquonk]

Tomorrow morning your sister needs to pop into school or make a call and request that a copy of the school policies on behaviour and on bullying be given to her or sent home with the daughter.

She reads it. Then requests an appointment with head of year - go through the policy on bullying point by point asking "and has this been done in this instance?" and if the answer is "no...but" then she points at the policy and says "but it says in your policy that..."

If the school does not have a policy on bullying or will not give it, I would suggest she looks for another school. Any school which says "we don't have a problem with bullying" has a problem with bullying.

It is totally inappropriate that your niece is being denied her playtimes because the school can't be arsed to sort the situation out.

[jollyboysmum]

Thanks for your advice, will do as you suggest. The situation is terrible, with the bullies seemingly beyond control.