Bullying and discipline

What is bullying?
What type of behaviour is not acceptable?
What do I do if my child is bullied by another child?
I think my child might be a bully - what should I do?
How can I complain about a teacher or the school?
How do schools reward and discipline pupils?
Do schools have to have a code of discipline?

What is bullying?

Bullying is repeated aggression by a person or group against another person. Bullying can be verbal, psychological or physical - this means it can be anything such as name calling, teasing, hitting or picking on someone.  Once-off aggressive behaviour is not the same as bullying. When this behaviour goes on for some time, it is bullying.

Please note: Try not to confuse bullying with normal classroom management by teachers or the good-natured joking that goes on between students.

What type of behaviour is not acceptable?

• Humiliation - including name-calling or teasing about doing well at school 
• Intimidation - including aggressive body language 
• Verbal abuse - to someone?s face or behind their back
• Physical abuse or threatened abuse - such as hitting, pushing or kicking 
• Aggressive or obscene language - including sexual references 
• Offensive jokes - spoken or in writing, by e-mail or text messages
• Victimisation - picking on someone, including making very personal remarks
• Exclusion and isolation - deliberately leaving people out of activities 
• Intrusion - such as interfering with belongings or locker 
• Repeatedly giving someone the same unfavourable tasks
• Repeated unreasonable deadlines or tasks 
• Threats - including demands for money 
• Attacks on someone's reputation - for example by rumour, gossip, innuendo or ridicule

What do I do if my child is bullied by another child?

Physical pushing, threatening physical abuse and verbal abuse are not acceptable in Irish schools. Bullying sometimes occurs in school and on the way to school. If your child is being bullied by other children or is involved in this type of behaviour, it is a serious matter. No child should have to suffer at the hands of a bully.

Do not confront the other child's parents. Talk with the class teacher or the principal about what is happening and try to resolve the problem this way. If you cannot resolve it at school, you may ask the Department to investigate.

You can read how to complain about bullying in Procedures for Lodging Complaints on Bullying (Primary).

Guidelines on Countering Bullying Behaviour in Primary and Post Primary Schools is a document to help schools to set out their anti-bullying policy. Every school must have a policy that includes a plan to prevent bullying behaviour.

I think my child might be a bully - what should I do?

If your child is a bully, it is important to recognise this and help them to deal with it. One of the biggest problems faced by schools in tackling bullying is getting the parents to admit that their child is involved in this behaviour.

You can:

• try to find out if this is a temporary response to a change in the child's life (for example a new baby, a bereavement or stress at home);
• talk to your child and try to get them to see how the other child feels;
• stay calm and avoid being aggressive yourself; and
• talk to the class teacher. You will find that the teacher wants to help. It is important that you and the teacher take the same approach.

It's worth considering these longer-term steps as well.

• Bullies often suffer from a lack of confidence. Don't compare your child's achievement with others. Praise them whenever they do something helpful or kind.
• Teach your child to accept differences in others. If your child always seems to criticise others, you can help by making positive remarks about other children.

How can I complain about a teacher or the school?

It is important that there are good relations between home and school. With mutual respect and goodwill, you and the school can sort out most problems by discussing them. Make every effort to resolve your complaint at school level. You can ask the Department to investigate your complaint only after you have done this. 

The Complaints Procedure (Primary) describes the steps you should take when making complaints against schools and teachers.

How do schools reward and discipline pupils?

Teachers praise children when they work hard and produce good work and homework. Praise helps to motivate children. Each school has a code of discipline and parents are given a copy of this. You are responsible for accepting the school code and making sure your children understand and keep to it.

The teacher or principal will inform you if your child continually breaks the rules. You will have a chance to discuss the issues with them. They will expect you to make sure that your child's behaviour improves. You should try to sort it out with your child first and involve the class teacher if necessary.

For a serious breach of the school rules, the school could decide as a last resort to suspend a child from the school. This is a rare and serious decision. The school must have tried all other options before deciding to suspend.  They will send you notice of the suspension. You can appeal it to the board of management. As a last resort, you can appeal to the Department of Education and Science.

You can read more in Guidelines Towards a Positive Policy for School Behaviour and Discipline and Primary Circular 20/90 School Behaviour and Discipline.

Do schools have to have a code of discipline?

Yes, schools set out their own code of discipline following the Department's guidelines.  You will get a copy of the school's policy when you enrol your child.

You can read more in Guidelines Towards a Positive Policy for School Behaviour and Discipline and Primary Circular 20/90 School Behaviour and Discipline