8 steps to stop bullying triggering persistent pupil absence

8 steps to stop bullying triggering persistent pupil absence

There is increasing evidence of a link between bullying and persistent absence from school.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance estimates the proportion of pupils absent from school due to anxiety or mental health problems was higher among pupils who had been a victim of bullying - 32% compared with 16% of pupils who had not been bullied.

When a child is bullied at school, it impacts on their wellbeing, confidence, and ability to learn. Victims of bullying are not avoiding school, they are avoiding the bullies and trying to stay safe.

There are steps schools can take to promote respect for others, tackle bullying behaviour and support children suffering from bullying or friendships difficulties to find a safe, supportive environment at school.

Providing safe and happy places to learn for everyone is essential to tackling the problem of persistently absent pupils.

Understanding the link between bullying and school avoidance

There are many children who may still be attending school but who are starting to miss lessons and who could be at risk from avoiding school altogether.

Students experiencing bullying or friendship difficulties may be at risk of Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) due to:

• Worries about staying safe from physical threats, theft or damage to property
• Feelings of loneliness or isolation when excluded from friendship groups
• Low self-esteem due to name calling and unkind remarks
• Inability to focus on schoolwork due to anxiety around bullying
• Not wanting to attend certain lessons or activities because a bully will be there
• Shame about finding themselves a target for bullies
• Stress related health issues such as headaches and stomach aches.

Spotting the signs and intervening early is essential. The school can then act to make the right adjustments to show students that their school is a supportive environment where they can learn and flourish.

Effective ways to tackle bullying and reduce persistent non-attendance

1. Define what bullying means

Students and parents can sometimes use the term bullying incorrectly, for instance when referring to a breakdown in relationships. This is why it’s very important to define what bullying is. Everyone needs to understand what bullying is - and what it isn't - and why the school is addressing it.

2. Talk about bullying

Implement a firm, whole-school approach to bullying, with open conversations about relationships. Encourage students to speak out if they are suffering and urge other students to report incidents if they witness them.

Hold regular anti-bullying assemblies to help children understand that nobody should be treated differently or left out of friendships. Unkind behaviour can escalate into bullying.

Student and parent surveys are also a great way to find out what your school community thinks about bullying. Specific themes or patterns can be identified and used as discussion topics in whole school assemblies in class.

3. Establish a clear bullying policy

Ensure there are set procedures for dealing with bullying which everyone understands. Share these with students and parents so all pupils know how to report incidents, where they can get support and what the consequences are.

It can be hard for children to share what is happening to them so it's important they know there is support and help available.

4. Establish the facts

Bullying can cover a whole spectrum of activity, some serious, some less so. If a child reports a bullying incident, take time to find out what is happening so you can act appropriately. 

Where bullying takes the form of conflict between students or groups, listen to both sides, and encourage everyone to reflect on the issues and how they can be resolved.

5. Create safe spaces

Feeling unsafe from physical or emotional threats is a key trigger for persistent school avoidance. Ensure there is some adult presence in areas where bullying can take place – the playground, toilets and corridors

If children have somewhere safe they can go they are more likely to come into school. It can reduce their anxiety about attending if you provide spaces where a student struggling with friendships can spend breaks and lunchtimes, either for quiet time or for organised activities.

6. Encourage peer support

Students don't always want to approach an adult with an issue and might find it easier to talk to someone of their own age. Some schools use peer mentors.

Peer mentors are nominated students who receive training to help them support other children who might go to them to for help and advice. They normally deal with low level issues around anxiety and friendship conflict and can help create a school listening culture based on empathy and support.

Many children and young people like the option of accessing peer support.

7. Make lessons conflict free

Watch out for a pattern of behaviour that could indicate a student is being bullied. Are they often missing school because they want to avoid a specific lesson or activity?

If you spot a student is having difficulty with a particular classmate or group of students, keep them separate in class. Rearrange your classroom seating plans and ask relevant subject teachers to do the same. Make sure those students do not carry out group work together or collaborate directly on projects.

Ensure the student is kept engaged in learning. If a child is unwilling to ask or answer a question in class for fear of being bullied, give them another way to show they understand a topic or need some help. A colour-coded card or visual symbol they can point to can work well.

8. Encourage positive friendships

Giving children the tools to make good relationships can pre-empt bullying and keep children engaged with school.

For primary school children, give them the language they need to initiate friendships and ask if they can join in with a game. At secondary stage, initiate discussions about how to develop resilience, be a good digital citizen and interact positively on social channels.

Children who are experiencing bullying can be encouraged to stay in school as long as they feel safe, supported, and listened to.

A combination of empathetic school policies and tailored solutions can combat EBSA and create an environment where all pupils look forward to spending every day, building positive relationships, and making progress in their learning.