I've posted this on the bullying forum, but I think as it's so ranty, it may sit better in here...
My DD is in year 1. We've been dealing with a group of girls, and one in particular in DD's class bullying her (and others) since the start of reception. Having been assured that it had been swiftly dealt with, we left it alone, with hushed grumblings between mums about this particular child's ongoing behaviour.
We knew this child continued to be unpleasant, but were not aware of the detais (DD just shrugged it off). I didn't push the subject as I assumed I was just being over-protective.
Finally a few weeks ago, everything blew up when a friend of my DD had enough and on witnessing her shoving DD to the ground and pulling her hair he punched this girl square in the face (I have to say I did a little internal happy dance for him, even though I know hands are not for hitting etc, but you would wouldn't you?). At school the boy got into trouble and so did DD for winding up the girl in question.
I only heard about this from the little boy's mum - the school didn't deem it important enough to let me know (grrr). So, I questioned DD and she causally explains that this child pulls her hair / calls her names / hits her on a daily basis and there's no point in telling as she gets told off for telling tales. Cue me throwing a hissy fit at the Deputy Head who assures me that she will call a staff meeting to put a stop to it.
Now I teach in a senior school and if this happened in my classroom choose your deity to help the little b**r who was caught bullying. Swift and sharp action would befall. I have no issue with calling in a parent to explain what their little darlings have been up to (that goes for good behaviour too - I'm not actually some bun toting, tweed wearing dragon... I am working on it though).
DD is in year one, where surely they should be instilling the nature of cause and effect in terms of behaviour. However, today I was informed that action was to be taken (yay!) - my daughter is to be put into a 'special' group where they will be taught 'resiliance training' (huh?). Isn't that then further singling them out for torment from the 'normals'?
Ok, maybe this may help her tell a teacher, but what is the point if no action is taken against the bullies? And at what point did we decide that 'man-up' classes were the new cop out for teacher who can't or won't manage their class's behaviour?
Ok, with the rant over, has anyone had any experience of a child being put in this training? Am I over-reacting just a smidge and if not how do I politely tell DD's school where to go with their hippy approach and actually deal with the issues in the school? I'm tempted to say just that, but I can't see me being Mrs popular after that...
phew.