Key Questions to Ask Children about Bullying

These questions can be asked in confidential groups in groups of about four children. Teachers could ask some of these questions in class but before you do so, inform children that they all must listen and respond respectfully to other children:

Understanding bullying

What experiences of bullying do children have? You could also ask about what experiences children have of online bullying:

• What is bullying?
• How do people feel when they are bullied?
• Why do children bully?

Note: If you want to find out in-depth about children’s experiences of bullying you could speak to children individually about this.

When you have enhanced your understanding of bullying by speaking to them about their experiences, ask them about resolving bullying. The following questions will be helpful:

Resolving Bullying

• How do other pupils respond when children are being bullied?
• What do teachers do when children are being bullied? What do support staff do when children are being bullied?
• How should bullying be dealt with in school?
• How can pupils and staff work together to make bullying stop?