Bí Cineálta Policy to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour
The Board of Management of Kilmurry National School has adopted the following policy to prevent and address bullying behaviour.
This policy fully complies with the requirements of Bí Cineálta: Procedures to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2024.
The board of management acknowledges that bullying behaviour interferes with the rights of the child as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. We all, as a school community, have a responsibility to work together to prevent and address bullying behaviour and to deal with the negative impact of bullying behaviour.
We are committed to ensuring that all students who attend our school are kept safe from harm and that the wellbeing of our students is at the forefront of everything that we do. We recognise the negative impact that bullying behaviour can have on the lives of our students and we are fully committed to preventing and addressing bullying behaviour.
We confirm that we will, in accordance with our obligations under equality legislation, take all such steps that are reasonably practicable to prevent the harassment of students or staff on any of the nine grounds specified: gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveler Community.
We confirm that we will take all steps that are reasonably practicable to prevent all bullying or harassment of our students in whatever form and however motivated.
Catholic schools have a distinctive understanding of the human person, recognising that every person is created in God’s image and likeness and has inherent dignity as a child of God. This is the basis for ensuring that everybody in our school is treated with respect and care, in accordance with the Catholic Schedule.
As a Catholic school, we are committed to respecting the dignity of every individual. No human person is to be devalued and everybody has a part to play in the school community, regardless of difference.
- Bullying is targeted behaviour, online or offline that causes harm.
- The harm caused can be physical, social and/or emotional in nature.
- Bullying behaviour is repeated over time and involves an imbalance of power in relationships between two people or groups of people in society.
- Bullying can be:
- Physical
- Social
- Emotional
The following behaviour is not considered bullying behaviour:
- Isolated or once-off incidents of intentional negative behaviour. This behaviour will be dealt with in accordance with the school’s code of behaviour.
Types of Bullying:
Bullying Behaviour can take many forms, which can occur separately or together. These can include the following:
- Direct Bullying Behaviour
- Physical bullying behaviour includes pushing, shoving punching, kicking, poking and tripping students. It may also take the form of severe physical assault. Damage to personal property can be a focus for bullying behaviour. This could include damage to clothing, schoolbooks and other learning materials.
- Verbal Bullying Behaviour can include continual name-calling directed at a student which hurts, insults or humiliates the student. Name-calling of this type often refers to physical appearance, student’s accent, academic ability, race or ethic origin.
- Written Bullying Behaviour includes writing insulting remarks about a student in public places, passing around notes about or drawings of a student.
- Extortion Bullying Behaviour is where something is obtained through force or threats.
- Indirect Bullying Behaviour
- Exclusion Bullying Behaviour is where a student is deliberately and repeatedly isolated, excluded or ignored by a student or group of students.
- Relational Bullying Behaviour occurs when a student’s attempts to socialize and form relationships with peers are repeatedly rejected or undermined (eg: ‘Do this or I won’t be your friend anymore’/Silent treatment).
- Online Bullying Behaviour
- Online bullying behaviour (cyber bullying) is carried out through the use of information and communication technologies such as text/direct messaging/instant messaging, social media platforms, email, apps, digital gaming sites, gaming consoles, chatrooms and other online technologies.
- This form of behaviour can include:
- Sending/sharing nasty, insulting, offensive, intimidating messages or images.
- Posting information considered to be personal, private and sensitive without consent.
- Making and/or participating in fake profiles on a social network to impersonate and/or humiliate other students.
- Excluding or disrupting access to a student on purpose from online chat groups, access to accounts or from an online game.
Section A: Development/review of our Bí Cineálta policy to prevent and address bullying behaviour
All members of our school community were provided with the opportunity to input into the development/review of this policy.
| Date consulted | Method of consultation | |
| School Staff | February/March 2025 | Staff meeting- Staff provided with the opportunity to discuss the Bí Cineálta procedures. Staff were shown webinar on new Bí Cineálta Procedures during the half day closure in March. Staff were briefed on the importance points and new changes to the anti-bullying policy. Draft policy was shared for discussion and feedback given. |
| Students | April/May 2025 | Students Council were consulted about child-friendly Anti-Bullying Policy and suggestions were taken on board when drafting the policy. The child-friendly Anti-Bullying Policy was distributed to all pupils and parents. Children were encouraged to read through the policy with their parent(s)/guardian(s). |
| Parents | May/June 2025 | Policy given to PA. Feedback given by parents regarding the child-friendly Anti- Bullying Policy was discussed when reviewing the draft policy. |
| Board of Management | June 2025 | Review and discussion of policy with the Board of Management- leading to consultation and ratification of the policy. |
| Date policy was approved: | ||
| Date policy was last reviewed: | ||
Section B: Preventing Bullying Behaviour
This section sets out the prevention strategies that will be used by this school to address all forms of bullying behaviour, in whatever form and however motivated, including online bullying behaviour, homophobic and transphobic bullying behaviour, racist bullying behaviour, sexist bullying behaviour and sexual harassment.
| Culture and Environment. Create a positive and inclusive school culture and environment to strive to prevent and address bullying behaviour. Promote the school environment as a space where students and school staff can experience a sense of belonging and feel safe, connected and supported. Develop relationships with all members of the school community that are based on respect, care, integrity and trust. Encourage and promote kindness among all students and create a space where the pupil voice is heard. Involve parents as active partners in their child’s education and foster an environment where bullying behaviour is not tolerated. Support the idea of a ‘telling’ environment within the school and encourage students to report bullying incidents to a ‘trusted adult’. Strategies: In developing the preventative strategies which this school will use to prevent all forms of bullying behaviour, we come from the context of our Catholic ethos, where inclusivity permeates our school in a real way.Inform staff of new approaches to address all cases of bullying/alleged bullying behaviour. Ensure that all substitute staff are informed of new Bí Cineálta procedures and strategies specific to the school.Ensure all staff have read the school’s new Anti- Bullying policy and code of behaviour.Efficient supervision and monitoring of pupils in the morning, during sos and lunch times both outside on the yard and in the classrooms during wet days.Promotion of Friendship Week in the school each year, using various activities in each class to promote kindness and friendship throughout the school.Introduction of ‘Kindness Awards’ by the principal during assemblies to promote kindness during the school year.Revision of the school rules, the 5 B’S and the 5 P’s each term with the students.Creation of a child-friendly anti-bullying policy with both student and parent input. This has been distributed to parents, children and staff to discuss.This school takes positive steps to ensure that the culture of the school is one which welcomes a respectful dialogue and encounter with diversity and difference by ensuring that prevention and inclusivity strategies are given priority and discussed regularly at our board of management and staff meetings.Information given to parents by email regarding any new information on Anti-Bullying.Stay Safe Programme is taught every second year in the school.SPHE lessons that focus on positive behaviours form part of the curriculum each year.The dignity and the wellbeing of the individual person is of paramount concern in our Christian response. This school will listen closely to and dialogue with parents, thereby building a relationship of mutual understanding, respect, trust and confidence.In continuing to develop prevention strategies, this school will listen to young people and parents, to help establish their particular context and needs. Frequent periods of reflection and further engagement by the school, young people and parents, will be used to discern appropriate supports for young people in this school and to help inform future prevention strategies.Curriculum (teaching and learning).Promote teaching and learning that is collaborative and respectful where students have opportunities to work in small groups.Adopt a sense of inclusion and respect for diversity through various curricular subjects.Foster students’ well-being, self-confidence and a sense of responsibility for their own actions. Strategies: Teach SPHE and RSE content that relates to well-being and a sense of belonging.Staff model the values towards other members of staff, students and visitors to the school.Regular use of pair and group work activities in all classes.Promotion of Friendship Week and Well-Being Week in the school each year, using various activities in each class to promote kindness and friendship throughout the school.Supports and opportunities for CPD given to staff.Consistent recording, investigation and follow-up of bullying behaviour in addition to evaluation of the effectiveness of the Anti-Bullying Policy. Policy and PlanningThe aim of Kilmurry National School’s Bí Cineálta policy is as follows;To raise awareness with students, staff and parents that bullying is unacceptable in our school community.To ensure there is appropriate supervision and monitoring of all pupils during the school day.To create and develop a suitable document for investigating allegations and incidents of bullying behaviour.To ensure all members of staff are aware of any opportunities for continuous professional development.To create and implement a programme of support for pupils who experience bullying behaviour and engage in bullying behaviour.To engage with outside agencies in in the promotion of anti-bullying behaviour.To make sure the Acceptable Use Policy, Supervision Policy and Code of Behaviour all support the implementation of the Bí Cineálta Policy.To ensure all pupils engage with the RSE Programme and Stay Safe Lessons at each class level.To engage the Principal( DLP), Deputy Principal (DDLP) and middle management in the implementation of this policy. Relationships and PartnershipsStrong interpersonal connections are an important part of effectively preventing and addressing bullying behaviour within the school. These interpersonal connections are supported through a range of formal and informal structures such as student council, Coiste Gaeilge and the parents’ association.Pupils will engage in age-appropriate awareness activities that look at the causes and impacts of bullying behaviour.Support the active participation of pupils in school life through the students’ council and Coiste Gaeilge.Support the active participation of parents in school life through the Parent’s Association.Conducting workshops and seminars for pupils, school staff and parents to raise awareness of the impact of bullying.Encourage inclusion of the wider community within school life through Special Days and guest speakers.Promoting acts of kindness and a focus on well-being through Friendship Week and Well-Being Week. |
| The school has the following supervision and monitoring policies in place to prevent and address bullying behaviour: |
| Implementation of the SPHE curriculum at all class levels.Implementing the Digital Media Literacy curriculum which teaches pupils about responsible online behaviour and digital citizenship.Inform parents of tips around online safety and cyberbullying.Effective supervision and monitoring of classrooms, corridors, outdoor areas and events that take place outside of school (eg. School tours, matches, swimming etc.)Whole-school approach to anti-bullying campaign through Friendship Week activities.Holding an Internet Safety Day to reinforce awareness around appropriate online behaviour.Ensure all incidents of bullying are investigated by following the correct procedures and recorded on Aladdin.Hosting online safety events for parents who are responsible for overseeing their children’s online activity.Regularly discuss the school’s anti-bullying policy with the pupils.Implementation of the Stay Safe Programme every second year at all class levels.Encourage a culture of telling a ‘trusted adult’ with emphasis on the importance of bystanders. Ensure all pupils know who to tell and how to tell if an incident of bullying behaviour occurs.Encourage an inclusive school environment where diversity is celebrated. |
Section C: Addressing Bullying Behaviour
The teacher(s) with responsibility for addressing bullying behaviour is (are) as follows:
When bullying behaviour occurs, the school will:
- Ensure that the student experiencing bullying behaviour is heard and reassured.
- Seek to ensure the privacy of those involved.
- Conduct all conversations with sensitivity.
- Consider the age and ability of those involved.
- Listen to the views of the student who is experiencing the bullying behaviour as to how best to address the situation.
- Take action in a timely manner.
- Inform parents of those involved.
| The steps that will be taken by the school to determine if bullying behaviour has occurred, the approaches taken to address the bullying behaviour and to review progress are as follows: |
| Identifying if bullying behaviour has occurred: Allegations of bullying behaviour will be investigated and dealt with by the relevant teacher and principal.Each student will be engaged with individually and if appropriate will provide a written account of the incident.Teachers will exercise their own professional judgement to determine whether bullying behaviour has occurred. If bullying behaviour has not occurred, the teacher will refer to the school’s Code of Behaviour.All incidents of bullying will be documented by the relevant teacher on Aladdin using the template provided ‘Investigating Bullying Behaviour’.If bullying behaviour has occurred, the steps outline below will be followed. Where bullying behaviour has occurred: As above, allegations of bullying behaviour will be investigated by the relevant teachers, pupil(s) involved interviewed and records of incidents recorded on Aladinn. Parents of children involved will be notified of the allegations.When analyzing incidents of bullying behaviour, the relevant teacher should seek answers of ‘Who, What, When and Why’.If a group is involved, each member should be interviewed individually. Each member should be supported through the process to avoid peer pressure.When bullying behaviour has occurred, it should be made clear to the student(s) that he/she/they are in breach of the school’s anti-bullying policy and code of behaviour.The relevant teacher should emphasise how harmful and hurtful bullying is and seek a promise that it will stop.When an investigation is completed, the relevant teacher should complete the ‘Investigating Bullying Behaviour’ Document to include the outcome and a date for review.Pupils displaying and experiencing bullying behaviour will be closely monitored by school staff until the review.After approximately 20 school days, the review of the bullying beaviour will take place. This should involve all student(s) and parents.If bullying behaviour continues, the relevant teachers will refer to the School’s Code of Behaviour. The school will support all parties involved in the incident of bullying which includes students who experience bullying behaviour, students who witness bullying behaviour and students who display bullying behaviour. Regular monitoring of the pupils involved will take place in the weeks after the incident.Where a parent is not satisfied that the school has not dealt with a bullying incident in accordance with the new Bí Cineálta procedures, the parent must refer to the school’s complaints procedure. |
| The school will use the following approaches to support those who experience, witness and display bullying behaviour: |
| Supporting Pupils experiencing/witnessing bullying behaviour: Following Bí Cineálta procedures to end bullying behaviour.Monitoring pupils to ensure they feel safe in the school environment.Ensure the pupils feel confident to confide in a relevant adult of any further bullying behaviour.Indicate that the bullying behaviour is not the fault of the pupil(s) being targeted.Encourage pupils to get involved in activities to help develop friendships, social skills and self-esteem. Supporting Pupils displaying bullying behaviour: Ensure bullying behaviour is dealt with and is ended.Make it clear to pupil(s) that once the incident has ended, the incident will not be referred to again, unless another similar incident of bullying behaviour occurs.Praise and support pupil(s) for ending this bullying behaviour.Encourage pupils to get involved in activities to help develop friendships, social skills and self-esteem.Re-teach relevant SPHE lessons where applicable.Foster an emphasis on positive behaviour while supporting the child. |
All bullying behaviour will be recorded. This will include the type of behaviour, where and when it took place, and the date of the engagement with students and parents. The actions and supports agreed to address bullying behaviour will be documented. If the bullying behaviour is a child protection concern the matter will be addressed without delay in accordance with Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools.
Section D: Oversight
The principal will present an update on bullying behaviour at each board of management meeting. This update will include the number of incidents of bullying behaviour that have been reported since the last meeting, the number of ongoing incidents and the total number of incidents since the beginning of the school year. Where incidents of bullying behaviour have occurred, the principal will also provide a verbal update which will include where relevant, information relating to trends and patterns identified, strategies used to address the bullying behaviour and any wider strategies to prevent and address bullying behaviour where relevant. This update does not contain personal or identifying information. See Chapter 7 of the Bí Cineálta procedures.
This policy is available to our school community on the school’s website and in hard copy on request. A student friendly version of this policy is displayed in the school and is also available on our website and in hard copy on request.
This policy and its implementation will be reviewed, following input from our school community, each calendar year or as soon as practicable after there has been a material change in any matter to which this policy refers.
Signed: Date: (Chairperson of board of management)
Signed: Date: (Principal)
Investigating Bullying Behaviour
Date:_____________________
Name of Reporting Person:_______________________________________________________
Type of Bullying Behaviour (Please Tick as appropriate):
| Physical Bullying behaviour | |
| Verbal Bullying Behaviour | |
| Written Bullying Behaviour | |
| Extortion | |
| Exclusion | |
| Relational | |
| Online Bullying Behaviour |
Location of incident(s):___________________________________________________________
Day/Time/Date: _________________________________________________________________
Pupil(s) experiencing bullying behaviour: _________________________________________
Pupil(s) displaying bullying behaviour: ____________________________________________
Pupil(s) witnessing bullying behaviour:____________________________________________
Details of Incident: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Actions Taken:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date of engagement with parent(s)/guardian(s):___________________________________
Views of Student(s)/Parents regarding actions taken:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date of Review: __________________________________________________________________