According to research, school bullying has increased drastically over the past decade. Millions of students are being targeted across the globe, especially in the UK. While anti-bullying measures help to some extent, they don’t eliminate the risk of bullying. Perpetrators still find ways to harass, abuse, and torment their victims, making students more vulnerable to falling behind in school, developing anxiety, developing low self-esteem, and isolating themselves.
School bullying is often linked to the conventional (in-person) schooling system. Conventional schools have a high student-teacher ratio, which makes regulation nearly impossible. Teachers are unable to monitor students and identify instances of school bullying. Poor monitoring results in poor detection. Most cases of school bullying go unnoticed and escalate over time.
In this blog, we’ll help you take the right measures if your child is being bullied. These measures will help you protect your child’s mental health and get their personal, academic, and social growth back on track. Continue reading, and feel free to take notes along the way. If you have any questions towards the end, leave us a comment or drop us a message. Let’s get started.
1. Speak with Other Parents
When they first realise that their child is being bullied, parents mostly reach out to their teachers/the institution. We recommend avoiding this approach. The school may come up with a cover-up to protect its reputation. They may not take your concerns seriously and downplay the incident. You’ll walk away with false reassurance.
As a rule of thumb, reach out to other parents. Call your child’s friends’ parents and inquire into whether they’ve noticed that their children are being bullied as well. Chances are that they’ve noticed a shift as well. If this is the case, collectively schedule a meeting with the school. Going in a group is better than going alone. There’s little to no risk of your concerns being dismissed.
Make sure you emphasise the lack of in-school regulation. We’ve observed that most conventional schools have a particularly high student-teacher ratio. In some cases, as many as 25 or even 30 students are taught in one classroom. This makes it nearly impossible for teachers to track each student’s performance and activity in class. If students are bullying their peers, the teacher may never pick up on this.
While it’s important to voice your concerns, it’s also important to understand that most institutions cannot change their ways overnight. If you request greater regulation, it may take months or even years to train their faculty and take more teachers on board.
2. Switch Schools
As stated earlier, demanding institutional change can be very tricky. If your child is being bullied at school, we recommend switching schools. Compared to conventional schooling, online learning is deemed much better for student mental health.
At Cambridge Home School Online, we keep the student-teacher ratio as low as possible. Between 8 and 10 students are taught in a single classroom. This gives our teachers a chance to meticulously and consistently track each student’s activity. Each behavioural, academic, and social characteristic is monitored, from their learning habits to their interaction with other students. The risk of in-class bullying isn’t just reduced, but it’s entirely eliminated.
Our MA/MSc/PhD qualified subject specialist teachers also teach soft skills like respect, teamwork, patience, acceptance, and empathy. These skills help students develop respect, compassion, and care for their peers. Instead of judging and looking down upon their peers, our students treat each other as equals. This brings about a change in their mindset. We identify the root causes of school bullying and systematically address them.
At Cambridge Home School Online, we help students become well-rounded individuals who cheer each other on, not bring each other down. Our classes are well-moderated through and through. If there’s even a subtle hint of in-class bullying, racism, harassment, or abuse, our teachers step in immediately and remove the student from the virtual space. We believe that student mental health isn’t just important; it’s imperative. We go to great lengths to preserve it.
Recommended Read: What’s Empathy-Centered Learning and Why Is It So Important for Young Children?
3. Create and Maintain an Open Line of Communication with Your Child
Most instances of school bullying go unnoticed because parents fail to identify them. Students feel embarrassed opening up about these instances. They may fear that their parents will scold them. They may also feel weak for being unable to defend themselves.
As a parent, it is your responsibility to create and maintain an open line of communication. Your child should feel comfortable approaching you at all times. If you’ve suspected that your child is being bullied, but they’re not confirming it, start by working on your communication. Spend more time with your child and develop a friendly connection with them.
You can still parent your child without micromanaging them to the point that they feel suffocated. Your child will not open up to you if they feel that you’re judging or berating them every time they converse with you. Develop a different approach. An open, friendly, supportive, and empathetic approach will make it easier for your child to trust and open up to you. They’ll begin to share more with you.
This approach works exceptionally well as it makes parents aware of what’s going on in their child’s life. If they’re being bullied, you’ll know exactly who is bullying them and how it’s affecting your child. This information will go a long way in helping you reach out to the right people and protect your child. However, many parents never receive this information because their children don’t trust them. If you fear that this is the case, start undoing the damage right away. It will help significantly.
4. Schedule a Counselling Meeting for Your Child
At Cambridge Home School Online, we provide one-on-one success coaching and pastoral support to every student. This system was set in place keeping the frequency of school bullying in mind. We understand that many students who join our institution have dealt with cases of school bullying in the past. While these instances stop once students start their online classes with us, the pain caused by bullying often persists for much, much longer.
Students may struggle to open up in class and make new friends. They may also become withdrawn. Inform our teachers that your child needs additional support because they have been bullied in the past. It’s also possible that the bullying is ongoing. Your child’s previous school bullies may still be in touch with them, virtually or during friend hangouts. Informing us is a great way to give your child the support they need to navigate this process.
Our school counsellors work closely with students to rebuild their self-esteem. If your child is not enrolled at Cambridge Home School Online, consider making the switch to online learning. Parents are often apprehensive about this transition. If your child has attended conventional school since the beginning, you may worry that such a drastic transition may negatively affect their education and routine. This isn’t the case.
At Cambridge Home School Online, we provide well-paced classes. Students are provided consistent support, which goes a long way in helping them acclimatise to online learning. We offer four homeschooling programs: Primary Prep/Key Stage 2 (ages 7 to 10), Lower School/Key Stage 3 (ages 11 to 13), Upper School/IGCSEs (ages 14 to 16), and Sixth Form/AS & A-Levels (ages 17 to 19). Select the right program for your child.
We prioritise both academic performance and student mental health. In June 2021, 86% of our IGCSE students secured A*s and As in their target subjects. 83% of our A Level students secured two As and a B or higher, as requested by top universities. Moreover, all students who applied received offers from some of the best universities globally. Moreover, our students also enjoy a healthy school-life balance, improving their personal and social lives.
We believe that maintaining this balance is extremely important. To perform well in school, students must feel content, motivated, and rested. We offer greater flexibility than conventional schooling, helping students focus on other aspects of their lives: sports, skill development, hobbies, excursions, socialisation, traveling, volunteering, etc. Students are not bullied at Cambridge Home School Online. In fact, they’re allowed to heal from past bullying. This is a responsibility that our school counsellors take very seriously.
Recommended Read: 6 Key Steps to Homeschooling Success: A Guide for Parents
5. Support Your Child
Parental support is extremely important. If your child is being bullied at school, they need to be cared for. They need support, guidance, reassurance, and encouragement. As a parent, make sure you’re there for your child. Care for their needs and make sure they understand that they have endless support from their parents, siblings, and friends. Plan a small get-together for your child. If your child is older, make sure you ask them beforehand. If they agree, start preparing.
Asking your child is extremely important as older students aren’t always fond of surprises. It’s also possible that you accidentally invited someone your child wasn’t planning to see. Parents don’t always know what’s going on in their child’s life, no matter how close they may be. Ask your child beforehand. If they’re younger, you can proceed with a surprise. However, you should still take special care when choosing who to invite. The last thing you want to do is invite your child’s bully.
In addition to planning a fun get-together for your child, speak openly and candidly with them. Tell them that you’re there for them and willing to listen. Instead of being intrusive and pushing, simply extend the invitation to talk and let them use it if they need to, when they need to. As a parent, you must respect your child’s boundaries. Do not, under any circumstances, share the information they disclosed to you with other parents. You may feel like this is the right thing to do. However, you must protect your child’s privacy and avoid going against their wishes.
Remember, children can easily lose trust in their parents. You do not want this to happen. Your child may stop sharing anything with you. Avoid this by helping when they need help and giving them the space to heal. Extending the token of support will go a long way in helping your child understand that you’re there for them when they need you!
6. Ask Your Child How You Can Help
This is one of the best measures you can take as a parent. Unfortunately, many parents impose their own understanding of care and support on their children. This isn’t always the correct approach. You may think setting up a fun family activity will help your child take their mind off the bullying.
While this sounds like an excellent approach, it’s not always what children need. It’s possible that your child doesn’t want to interact with family members. They may prefer something more private with just the two of you. Every child has a different understanding of care and support.
The best thing you can do is ask them how you can help. They may want to vent. In that case, you can listen and show your support as a parent. It’s also possible that your child prefers distraction as a way of coping with the bullying. In this case, you can ask them what sort of activity they’d like you to plan. This is a great way to provide the care and support your child needs at any given moment.
Recommended Read: 6 Benefits of Choosing the Hybrid Learning Model for Your Children
At Cambridge Home School Online, we’re committed to helping students enjoy good mental health, secure good grades, and become well-rounded students. If your child is struggling in school, consider making the switch to online learning. Take a closer look at the following resources:
- Admissions Process
- Term Dates
- Application Form
- Scholarships & Bursaries
- Grades & Fees
- Online Reviews
- Our Curriculum
We provide a quality British online education to students in the UK, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Let’s start securing a brighter future for your child.
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FAQ
How effective are anti-bullying measures in schools, especially in the UK?
Anti-bullying measures offer some protection but are not entirely effective. Despite these measures, students still get bullied, which negatively impacts their academic and mental well-being.
Why is it difficult for conventional schools to monitor bullying?
Conventional schools often have high student-teacher ratios, making it nearly impossible for teachers to effectively monitor each student’s behaviour. This leads to poor detection and escalation of bullying cases.
What alternative does Cambridge Home School Online offer for students who face bullying?
Cambridge Home School Online offers online learning with a low student-teacher ratio. This allows for close monitoring of student activities and eliminates the risk of in-class bullying. Teachers also focus on imparting soft skills like empathy and respect to prevent bullying.
What role should parents play when they suspect their child is being bullied?
Parents should maintain an open line of communication with their child and approach the situation in a supportive manner. They can also consider switching schools or opting for online learning platforms that prioritize student mental well-being.
How can parents support their child emotionally if they have been bullied?
Parents can show unconditional support, maintain open communication, and respect their child’s boundaries. Special get-togethers or one-on-one time can also be arranged, but it’s essential to ask the child what form of support they prefer.