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Your Council supporting learning for you and your family
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Beating the bullies
Hull school pupils are helping to put an end to bullying
It takes time and commitment to stop bullies having the opportunity to make other pupils' lives a misery.
But that's exactly what pupils and teachers have achieved at Stepney Primary and Bethune Park Primary in west Hull, and Northcott Special School in Bransholme.
All three schools recently worked with Hull City Council to achieve an anti-bullying accreditation which means they have zero tolerance of bullying and take positive action to stamp it out.
The schools made the move to ensure they are happy places for children to learn.
Bethune Park Primary has installed worry boxes in its classrooms so pupils can write notes for the teacher to find at the end of the day, so if a child is experiencing bullying they have a confidential way of telling staff.
There is also 'circle time' when pupils all get together with a teacher and have a chance to raise issues and speak and be heard.
"Our school is based on developing children's self-esteem and self worth.
We make them feel valued and secure, and through our work in the classroom we ensure all 262 pupils understand that bullying is not acceptable and will not be tolerated," said Bethune head teacher Sue Wright.
Helping each other
Meanwhile, an important aspect of gaining the accreditation was to work in partnership with pupils from other schools, so pupil members of the Bethune school council visited Northcott to see how staff, parents and pupils were dealing with bullies, and for the same reasons Stepney was visited by members of the Priory Primary school council.
This gave pupils from different schools a chance to ask questions and share ideas and experiences to find the best ways forward.
At Stepney, self-esteem nurture groups for pupils who need a boost in confidence have been set up and pupils are encouraged to report all bullying incidents.
"Preventing bullying in schools has major benefits for everyone as it helps children develop into respectful teenagers and adults," said Stepney head teacher Paul Browning.
"We are delighted to receive the accreditation as it is a reflection of our ongoing work to give children a safe place to learn."
Growing influence
Schools throughout Hull are working with pupils to stop bullying, says Councillor Mike Ross, who has responsibility for lifelong learning in the city.
He has spoken to young people across Hull who are involved in peer mentor and buddy schemes, and has seen how they are influencing ways of dealing with bullying.
"As with so much of school life, it is when young people are directly involved in tackling the problems and delivering the solutions that they are most successful," he adds.
"I am pleased so many young people want to help make schools fun and safe places for their fellow pupils."
What is bullying?
Children and young people can be bullies and victims of bullying and it is harmful to everyone involved.
Bullying can include:
- name calling
- telling stories to get a child into trouble
- pushing, kicking, hitting, and other forms of violence or threats.
- damaging or stealing your money or belongings
- taking your friends away from you
- spreading rumours about you
- making silent or abusive phone calls
- sending offensive text messages
- placing insulting messages on the internet
Help for parents
If your child suddenly begins to stay away from school, or has marks or injuries for no apparent reason, it may be because of bullying.
If you have concerns for your child's welfare the following suggestions may help.
- make an appointment to see the class teacher
- at the meeting be specific and explain your concerns and anything your child may have told you
- write down what the school will do about it
- ask if there's anything you can do to help
- keep a diary of any bullying that happens after the meeting
- ask for one teacher to contact you and your child regularly to keep you updated.
- arrange another time, maybe a few weeks later, to meet and see how things are progressing
- if you still have concerns, make an appointment to see the head teacher, and ask for your child's class teacher or head of year to be there
Extra support
Parents, children, and young people up to the age of 16 can call the Community Anti-Bullying Project free and in confidence on 0800 915 4545.
Volunteers provide a listening ear and give advice.
Arrangements can be made for volunteers to visit callers in person to give further guidance on how best to cope with and prevent bullying.
The project receives 700 phone calls requesting help each year and carries out anti-bullying presentations at Hull schools.
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