Bullying

Bullying can have a serious impact on a child’s confidence, wellbeing and learning. At Dodford First, we take bullying seriously and want parents to feel informed, supported and confident about what to do if they notice changes in their child’s behaviour. Bullying may be physical, verbal or social, and it can happen in and around school, on the way to and from school, or online.

As a parent or carer, it is helpful to look out for signs such as reluctance to attend school, unexplained injuries, frequent headaches or stomach aches, changes in sleep or appetite, loss of friends, or a sudden drop in confidence or academic performance. If you are concerned, speak with your child calmly and listen carefully. Avoid putting pressure on them to “tell you everything” at once; instead, encourage them to share what they feel safe to say and reassure them that reporting concerns is the right thing to do.

We encourage parents to contact the school as soon as possible so we can understand what is happening and work together to resolve it. Our approach focuses on safety, fairness and appropriate support for all children involved, including the child being bullied and any child who may have caused harm. Early reporting helps us act quickly, record concerns accurately and put in place strategies that prevent bullying from continuing. If you would like guidance on how to raise a concern, please reach out to Dodford First through the usual school contact routes.