To think the school is irresponsible re bullying?

[choccywoccywoowah]

My younger sister aged 12 is being picked on at school. Today all parents received a letter re bullying on social media. They said any bullying on social media is out of their remit, they will not be interested and it should be dealt with by the police. Is this standard these days?

[Wolfiefan]

Surely the police have more powers. (Unless stuff is posted during the school day.)

[choccywoccywoowah]

Obviously yes, but for the school to not get involved at all? Is that right? I just though schools had a responsibility to tackle bullying in all forms.

[Madeyemoodysmum]

What a cop out. I'd be seriously annoyed with school

[choccywoccywoowah]

It makes no odds what time it is posted. School still wont intervene. It is being posted during the day. This is not personal to my sister btw, nobody has been into school as we only found out she was being picked on today.

[Wolfiefan]

They can't be expected to deal with bullying outside of school really. Imagine if a child was excluded for something that happened at the weekend.
They should however support victims. Perhaps the letter should have said such bullying is clearly unacceptable and parents should report any incidents to both the school and the police?
for your sister. Bullying is horrid.

[Wolfiefan]

X post. If kids are posting whilst in school then that is a school issue.

[choccywoccywoowah]

Yeah its all times. Bullying on social media is relentless. My stepmum is going in tomorrow to ask about their bullying policy but she said that the word all (social media incidents should be dealt with by the police, rather than by the school) was underlined!

[Wolfiefan]

Your poor sister. The school has a duty of care. Be sure to mention the word safeguarding. Or OFSTED.

[WombatStewForTea]

Many social media sites have age limits which are blatantly ignored by parents who continue to let their children access these sites when problems are being called. I'm primary but we've had a ridiculous amount of issues with facebook and instagram so we sent a letter to parents last year when it kept on happening and parents weren't stopping their children even though they were all under age. It was taking up literally hours of teacher's time each week. Obviously if things carry over into school then we get involved but other than that - we simply don't have the time.

[cranberryx]

I guess the only benefit of bullying on social media is that it is easily traceable and you have solid proof of the bullying happening.

I would personally screenshot all of the bullying and the message the parents of whoever is bullying your sister and make them aware.

The school should take some responsibility, surely not everything is happening online - there has to be some exclusion and bullying leaking into RL, so I think their attitude stinks.

[maras2]

Is you sister being bullied on social media or in real life?From your OP it seems that they have 'no remit' over cyber stuff but what about day to day playground etc physical bullying?

[HelenaDove]

So heres a thought.......any little misdemeanor committed by any student outside the school while wearing the school uniform wont be dealt with by the school and the student wont be getting punished for it at school and the school wont moan at the student for it. They wont even mention it right? As it happened outside the school it would be outside their remit because they cant have it both ways.

[GruntledOne]

YANBU. The school where I'm a governor takes this very seriously. When bullying via social media was reported to them they excluded the pupils concerned for three days and called a special assembly making it very clear to all the pupils that any future incidents like that would result in heavier punishments.

[choccywoccywoowah]

She says in real life, nothing the bullies do constitutes bullying in her eyes. They ignore and occasionally stare at her in school but on snapchat, instagram etc put close up pictures on of her and are disgustingly mean about her acne. They also post pics of them selves sticking middle finger up captioned 'this is for choccys sister'
Although my stepmum has not approached school yet, obviously she is concerned if this is their stance as the majority of bullying is done online.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Ynbu. They are being very very irresponsible and failing in their legal duty of care to the children. Because the chances are very very high that the bullying won't just be happening on social media. I really do not like the use of their words not interested. What else are they not interested in. This is a very very raw thing to say but how many more children are going to commit suicide over bullying before these teachers and HT sit up and take notice.
YY about mentioning ofsted and safe guarding.

[GruntledOne]

Interesting case study here. As it's on the DfE website it looks as if saying that's the way to go.

Looking further, their guidance on bullying policies specifically says that can include cyberbullying and therefore schools should have a policy to deal with it - www.gov.uk/bullying-at-school/bullying-a-definition.

I wonder if this school takes the same attitude to their teachers being bullied via social media?

[choccywoccywoowah]

Sorry I paraphrased with not interested They said parents with concerns re cyber incidents would be redirected to the police, as it is not in their remit and would not be dealt with by the school. I read that as not interested.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

They ignore her. Social exclusion. Which does come under bullying.
They stare at her. Which she is obviously uncomfortable with other wise why would she mention it. Which some may say is intimidation, again comes under bullying.
Bullying about her acne. Mental and emotional bullying
So as you see. It's not just going on on line.
I'd be having a very long conversation and demanding that the bullying stops, and if not then I would be calling ofsted, with out delay.
I would too be going to the local press to say that the school turns a blind eye and deaf ear to bullying.
If they're allowing bullying to go on, then. I'm not going to dress it up. That is also abuse by the school.

[choccywoccywoowah]

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/374850/Cyberbullying_Advice_for_Headteachers_and_School_Staff_121114.pdf&ved=0CDAQFjAAahUKEwjIkvCZp_XIAhVGnnIKHXbnCJI&usg=AFQjCNFmpT41uedSssqvTpFN_Wihus264A" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/374850/Cyberbullying_Advice_for_Headteachers_and_School_Staff_121114.pdf&ved=0CDAQFjAAahUKEwjIkvCZp_XIAhVGnnIKHXbnCJI&usg=AFQjCNFmpT41uedSssqvTpFN_Wihus264A

Aparrently not gruntled one. Staff cyber bullying should be dealth with as a community school issue. What a joke!

[choccywoccywoowah]

Sorry 'community issue for the whole school'

[WombatStewForTea]

If it is spilling into school then it is the school's remit.

[Shutthatdoor]

A side point but at 12 is she and the bullies old enough to be on SM in accordance with their t&c?

Is that why it is referred to the police?

[choccywoccywoowah]

Sorry gruntled one, thats guidelines..not the schools specific policy. I misunderstood. Been a long upsetting day!