Parents of primary aged children: how do you want schools to handle bullying?

[awkwardusername]

This is particularly prevalent in KS2.
The bullying I mean is not necessarily bullying, more consistent bickering and general not getting along.

I’m a teacher in Year 6 and throughout my years in the classroom, various parents have come to me and said their child is being picked on and bullied. It’s never lasted very long, but as a teacher I don’t really know what to do (this is me asking for help before people start whinging that I don’t know what I’m doing in my job). I’m not a parent myself.

Other than talking to the child(ren) in question and giving sanctions if incidents are witnessed or can be proved, what else can I do to help? How would you like your child’s teacher to help you and your child in this sort of situation?

Speaking as a governor, your school should have a strict definition of bullying (vs bickering, falling out etc), and an anti-bullying policy. No harm in pointing parents at both. Your head or Senior Leadership Team should also be able to advise.

As a parent, I would expect the school to deal with it quickly and effectively, either individually or through PSHE.

If my child was being bullied I would like to talk to their teacher and explain my child's side of things and would then expect the other child(ren)s parents to be called in and relay their child(ren)s side of things. This way the teacher will hear both sides and together with witnessing behavior in the classroom should be able to move forward from there, consequences would depend on the situation ranging from moving seats, loosing privileges in class, switching classes and possibly changing schools depending on severity. Maybe add in some extra time in class reflecting on emotional intelligence and kindness etc.

Physically protect the victim!
So, move the bully away - and if they can’t be trusted around anyone they will just have to be physically alone on a table - don’t ever let the bully and victim be unsupervised in the same room or go to the loo at the same time, have the lunch supervisors watch the bully like a hawk for sly behaviour.

(And that isn’t “just for punching” etc - even more necessary for verbal abuse as that can happen during a lesson when an actual fight would draw attention)

Talk to both sides but ensure the bully knows it is their problem. Too often it is the victim who feels to blame and often it is the victim who moves away or leaves the school and it should be the other way around.