On 6 November, we delivered a school assembly to 180 pupils at an Enfield School. The ‘Let’s Talk’ assembly addressed the topics of friendships. Our programme on Healthy Relationships covers ‘friendships’ and encourages young people to set clear boundaries. It also explores the topic of bullying.
Deprivation and anxiety
The stress of living in deprivation combined with anxiety means many children and young people feel isolated. Unfortunately those on free school meals or with a special educational need are more likely to be bullied. Last year 40% of children reported bullying at school but many incidents still go unreported.
There is no legal definition of bullying but it has been suggested, on the UK government website, that bullying is a ‘repeated intention’ to hurt someone physically and/or emotionally. Words like ‘intentional’ and ‘repeated’ can lead us to argue that a one-off maltreatment isn’t actually ‘bullying’. The pain and the impact of hurtful acts and harassment shouldn’t be lost in translation. It doesn’t need to happen on multiple occasions before we take bullying and harassment seriously.
Girls, bullying and truancy
Girls are more likely to truant from school as a result of bullying, than boys. At The Gifted, we have seen how bullying can be the primary reason for school refusers. Action For Children state that the refusal usually occurs when a child is too anxious to go to school. A recent press article reported that, 72% of children would report bullying to their parents and 24% of children frequently bullied were also most likely to be kept off school by their parents.
Let’s talk about bullying
So what is the solution? Admittedly, school resources are stretched but a whole school approach such as a school assembly would certainly help to transform the culture. Mentoring opportunities for both victims and perpetrators can also help to restore self-worth and build resilience.
Encouraging parents and pupils to report harassment and maltreatment even if they are not directly affected or even if bullying takes place outside school or online. Schools should review and regularly communicate their anti-bullying policy to pupils, parents and carers.
At the Gifted we offer mentoring to school refusers, with astounding results, where our beneficiaries return to mainstream education with a renewed sense of confidence. The six-week Butterfly Project encourages young people to become advocates for fair treatment, justice and zero tolerance for bullying.
To find out more about this and other programmes, please contact us here.
Resources:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/we-need-protect-children-facing-29507612
