Bullying at school

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All schools are required to have a policy which sets out clearly what is considered as bullying and/or harassment, what pupils and parents should do if they suspect bullying is taking place and how the school should deal with reports of such incidents.

Bullying is a regrettably commonplace feature, not just of schools and other communities of young people, but of adult society as well.

With local authority support, schools develop and implement policies designed both to promote a school ethos which discourages and inhibits bullying, and to set out procedures for tackling cases of bullying when they arise.

Key elements of strategic support in tackling bullying include:

• The Behaviour Support Service
• The Healthy Schools Programme, providing a quality mark which includes standards for schools to meet under the heading of 'Emotional Health and Well-being'
• Training and support to implement the DfES 'Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning' (SEAL) programme
• Wiltshire's annual 'Walk Tall' anti-bullying theme week, which is now co-ordinated with the recently established national anti-bullying week

If you have any concerns that your child may be being bullied or bullying other children at school, do make contact with the school as soon as possible, being as specific as you can about what has happened. You can find further guidance and support at any of the links shown.

Related links

• Slippery Fish
• Kidscape
• Anti Bullying Alliance
• Supportline

Last updated: 10 June 2011