Dinner lady sacked for intervening

Bullying has rarely been out of the news in recent weeks. Now we have a school dinner lady on the receiving end of punishment because she told two parents their daughter had been bullied at school and was in breach of pupil confidentiality. This follows the tragic suicide of 16 year old North Yorkshire school boy Michael Miller who had been bullied for ten years, once again highlighting the devastating effects that this damaging behaviour can have on children and young people.

With the media's heightened awareness and the many anti-bullying workshops, courses and classroom programmes in schools, it is depressing to read about these tragic and untimely deaths and sanctions being placed on individuals who are standing up for those less able to do so themselves. It is clear that not enough is being done to support those who are targeted and victimised, as in Michael's case. We have been empowering children to understand what bullying is and what they can do about it if it happens to them or to a peer. Yet here we are saying to the very individuals who may be the only eyes and ears during school time that no, you shouldn't speak up!

There are many thousands of children and young people who will be bullied this term. Most of them will deal with it effectively with support and guidance from their parents and from the teachers. But for some the bullying, which started last term, last year or in fact has been going on for their entire school career, is long-term and these children are at the end of their tether. This type of bullying has been vicious and debilitating, resulting in them finding it impossible to attend school. It is estimated that there are some 6000 children and young people in this position.

-- Posted by Red Balloon - on 24th September 2009 --