Breaking up Bully Gangs

• Meet with victim or victims separately - have them write down what happened

• Meet with each member of the gang separately - have them write down what happened

• Agree with each member of the gang separately what you expect and discuss how he/she has broken the school guidelines

• Meet with gang as a group and have each state what happened in your individual meeting; ensure that everyone is clear about what happened

• Prepare them to face their peer group - "What are you going to say when you leave here?"

• Decide about setting up 'bully courts'. This will depend upon what has been agreed with parents and governors. For details about 'bully courts', contact Kidscape

• Whatever is decided, reiterate to all students that they are all responsible if anyone is being bullied - there are no innocent bystanders

• Talk to parents of all involved - show them written statements

• Keep a file on bullying with all statements and penalties

• Teach victims strategies (as in Kidscape lessons)

• Do not accept false excuses - if the bullying was an accident, did the children act by helping the victim or getting help or giving sympathy? If it was just a laugh, was everyone laughing? If it was a game, was everyone enjoying it?
• If a child is injured, take photographs of the injury, but check with the parents first.
• If gangs of bullies from outside your school appear, take photographs - they tend to run when they see the camera

• If there is serious injury, contact the police.

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