Anti-Bullying Alliance Back to School Tips
As the new school term approaches, ABA has put together some
helpful tips for parents - as featured in the Sun on 12 August.
General advice
- Talk to your child about what bullying is and how it would feel
if it was happening to them or others
- Talk to them about how to stay safe online and on their mobile
and what to do if they are cyberbullied
- Encourage them to tell someone if they are bullied
- Let them know that you are there to listen and help
- Encourage your child to take part in activities such as team
sports, drama and martial arts
- Know the signs that your child might be being bullied - mood
changes, making excuses to miss school, being upset after using the
computer or their phone, having more bruises than usual, torn
clothes, losing school things, sleeping badly and bed wetting.
Work with the school
- Remember that schools have a legal duty to keep your child safe
from bullying
- You can ask to see the school's anti-bullying policy
- If you are worried contact their class teacher or tutor at the
beginning of term.
For parents of children starting secondary
school
- Find out if they are worried about the new journey to
school
- Let them know teachers can help if they are bullied
- Reassure them that friendships can take time to develop and
don't always last
- If they have brothers, sisters or cousins at the school, talk
as a family about how they can offer support
- Encourage them to make friends outside of school too.