Help for parents - snapshot

Talk to your child about their experiences. You may suspect something is wrong or have been contacted by the school. The worst thing you can do is ignore it and ignore the problem affecting your child. This advice stands whether they have been bullied and you have found out or if they have been accused of bullying.

It can be extremely hard to maintain a calm and level head in these situations because you are emotionally involved, but it is important that you try to explain your concerns and fears in a manner that is not threatening or aggressive.

Make contact with your child’s teacher

It may be a conflict issue between your child and another which the teacher would be able to resolve. Maybe you have a partial understanding or picture of what could be happening, or concerns about what has been disclosed. Not all conflict situations between children are necessarily bullying issues.

If you feel the issue has not been addressed or resolved

Ask to see the school's anti-bullying policy. Study it and note points that you feel are not being met.

Make an appointment to see the Head Teacher

This can sometimes be difficult but make it clear that you need to speak to him or her as soon as possible. Head Teacher's PAs can sometimes try to refer you to another member of staff; if this happens make sure you make it clear that you wish to speak to the Head. Discuss the situation with the Head Teacher referring to the school’s anti-bullying policy. Give the Head Teacher time to resolve the issue but make it clear by letter that you await a response.

If you still feel that the issue has not been dealt with then ask the school for the contact details of the Board of Governors. Write to the Board expressing your concerns and why you feel that there has been no resolve.

What if I need to take it further?

Dealing with the local authority

What is my legal position?