With the recent implementation of 'The Addressing Bullying in Schools Act 2016 (NI)', St. Brigid's is taking a more accessible and reflective approach to addressing bullying-type behavior in our school. Our 'Addressing Bullying' policy now reflects these recent changes in the law.
The law states that:
"“Bullying” includes, but isn’t limited to, repeated verbal, written or electronic communication, by a pupil(s) against another pupil(s) that is intended to cause physical or emotional harm. This also includes leaving someone out on purpose.”
"The new statutory guidance to schools from the Department of Education (NI):
It explains why grant-aided schools must have an Anti-Bullying Policy, what it must cover and the role of the governing body and head teachers in shaping their school’s behaviour policy.
The term ‘must’ is used when the person in question is legally required to do something and the term ‘should’ is used when advice is being offered.
Detailed statement of legislative cross references will be issued when the Act has a commencement order."
Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, Retrieved 02/10/24, Dept. of Education (NI)
Our Approach - A New Way to Address Bullying
The recent statutory guidance from the Dept. of Education (NI) encourages schools to diversify the way bullying-type behavior can be reported to schools.
St. Brigid's is taking our first steps to diversify this by introducing an Online form for pupils, and an anonymous form for adults, for reporting bullying-type behavior to the school. These forms will soon be available.
In school, we are looking at a number of methods of helping pupils to report bullying-type behavior, and we hope to have implemented these in the near future.
