Anti-Bullying Advice and Support
If you or someone you know is being bullied, you can let a Pupil Support teacher know by clicking on the HELP button below.
What is Bullying?
Bullying is a combination of what someone did and the impact that had and can take many different forms. It may include physical aggression, intimidation, threatening, extorting, abusive messages, name-calling or teasing, excluding or ignoring. Bullying affects a person’s capacity to feel in control of themselves. There are however instances where there can be conflict which is not bullying – the distinction is important in terms of managing the situation with the most effective strategies.
What behaviours would not be considered as Bullying?
Young people will not always get on with one another and may tease and fall out with one another throughout their time at school. This is not necessarily bullying although support can still be given to help the young people navigate their peer relationships and build resilience.
What are the signs of potential Bullying?
There is no certain way of spotting that a child is being bullied or is bullying others. Changes in behaviour or attitude can be important signs of distress. Signs for a parent/carer to look for in their child could include:
- Not wanting to go to school
- Being afraid of walking to school or getting on the school bus
- Changing their route to school or arriving home late
- Deteriorating standards of school work
- Coming home with damaged clothes or books
- Complaining of frequent headaches or stomach aches
- Becoming withdrawn, unhappy, tearful or frightened
What to do if you think your child is being bullied?
There is never a single answer to resolving bullying behaviour. Each situation needs to be considered, options talked through and choices made about how to proceed.
| ADVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE | ADVICE TO PARENTS/CARERS |
|---|---|
| Find the support of someone you can trust and talk to them about how you are feeling. | Listen to and support your child. Listen calmly and carefully to them but bear in mind there may be more to the story. |
| Talk to your parent/carer or adult you trust about what is happening. | Talk to your child about what they would like to happen and what their worries are about different actions. |
| Talk to a teacher or a member of school staff about what is happening or ask someone to do it on your behalf. | Tell them what action you are taking and why. |
| Block/report users online. | Contact the school and speak to the relevant Pupil Support teacher who can investigate the situation. |
| Tell a member of staff if anyone you know is being bullied. | Keep talking to them about how they are feeling and if there are any changes to the situation once action has been taken. |
What to do if your child has engaged in bullying behaviour?
Listen to your child and try to find out why they are behaving this way. Talk to them about the impact of their behaviour on the person or people involved. Reassure your child that you love and care for them but try to set limits to stop any repeated behaviours. The school will advise in ways that you can work together to help your child.
What can you expect of the school?
Dumfries High School has its own policy on bullying and its own particular strategies for dealing with it. You can ask to see a copy of the policy if you wish.
You can expect:
- A sympathetic and prompt hearing
- An investigation
- Early intervention
- Events to be monitored
- Feedback as and when appropriate
What might the school expect from you?
- That you listen to detail from your child and take the situation seriously
- Give as much detail and background information as you can and time to conduct any necessary investigation
- Give your child as much support as you can
- Work co-operatively with the school to resolve matters
Contact Number
Dumfries High School – 01387 263 061
ParentLine Scotland – 08000 28 22 33
Childline Scotland – 0800 1111