Rationale

• It is accepted that Parents/guardians are expected to cooperate with staff on bullying issues and that the staff acts in good faith when dealing with bullying behaviour.
• Bullying is generally intentional and directed and the victim experiences a degree of intimidation due to this behaviour. It is everyone's responsibility to report incidents of bullying to the school authorities.
• The METNS accepts that those employed in the METNS are obliged to act on any reported incident(s) of bullying.
• The METNS accepts that bullying may focus on the more vulnerable members of school and society, who are perceived as being different in some respects; this may include being physically, culturally, emotionally or academically different from other pupils.
• The METNS recognises that there are different forms of bullying and that individuals may fall into different categories of bullies and victims. Different approaches may be required in dealing with these categories. Similarly, METNS accepts that a variety of bullying behaviours exist and that different approaches may be employed to deal with these.
• The METNS is aware that there are different forms of aggression which do not necessarily constitute bullying but will be dealt with under the Positive Behaviour Policy.
• The METNS recognises that children with Special Educational Needs may have a greater involvement in bullying as bully and/or victim. Special measures, which may not be described in this policy, may be required to deal with these children.