Crannóg Nua School, Portrane, Co. Dublin was awarded €2,000 to collaborate with Ballydowd Special School to establish a community of practice for an anti-bullying policy review in line with the Bí Cineálta procedures. This project aims to foster shared learning, promote consistency, and enhance the implementation of effective anti-bullying strategies in their respective schools.
School’s reflection
Our schools have recently engaged in a valuable collaborative initiative to establish a Community of Practice (CoP) between the schools, focused on the implementation of the new Bí Cineálta guidelines for preventing and addressing bullying behaviours. This joint effort provided an opportunity to review our current anti-bullying policies through a shared lens, bringing together the perspectives and expertise of both schools.
The CoP created a structured space for open dialogue, critical reflection, and professional learning. Through scheduled meetings and shared documentation, we were able to compare approaches, identify strengths, and discuss challenges in policy implementation. It became clear that while every school context is unique, the principles of prevention, empathy, and consistency are universally important.
One of the most significant benefits of this initiative was the shared analysis of real-world scenarios and the practical application of the Bí Cineálta framework. The collaborative nature of the CoP encouraged trust and mutual learning, allowing both schools to question existing practices and trial new strategies with confidence. This has already led to improvements in how we respond to incidents and support students in a restorative and respectful manner.
Going forward, the CoP will remain an important forum for monitoring progress and promoting consistency in the language and actions we use to address bullying. It is our hope that this model of collaboration will be replicated more widely, as it has proven to be an effective and sustainable approach to enhancing student and staff wellbeing.
