Anti Bullying

Anti bullying policy

Rationale
We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our pupils so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our school. If bullying does occur, all pupils should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING school. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the staff.

What Is Bullying?
Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can be:
- Emotional being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding books, threatening gestures)
- Physical pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
- Racist racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
- Sexual unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
- Verbal name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing

Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying?
Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Pupils who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.

We will respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.

Objectives of this Policy
- All governors, teaching and non-teaching staff, pupils and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is.
All governors and teaching and non-teaching staff should know what the school policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.
- All pupils and parents should know what the school policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.
- As a school we take bullying seriously. Pupils and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
- Bullying will not be tolerated.

Signs and Symptoms
A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child:
doesn't want to go on the school bus
begs to be driven to school
changes their usual routine
is unwilling to go to school
becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
starts stammering
cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
feels ill in the morning
begins to do poorly in school work
comes home with clothes torn or books damaged
has possessions which are damaged or " go missing"
has unexplained cuts or bruises
becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
is bullying other children or siblings
stops eating
is frightened to say what's wrong
gives improbable excuses for any of the above

These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.

Procedures
1. Report all bullying incidents to staff
2. The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly
3. Persistent bullying incidents will be recorded
4. Parents will be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem
5. A programme of support will be put in place to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour.

Outcomes

1. The bully (bullies) will be asked to genuinely apologise.
2. If possible, the pupils will be reconciled
3. Sanctions will include missing playtime/golden time
4. In serious cases, suspension or even exclusion will be considered
5. After the incident / incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not take place.


Prevention
We will use the following methods to help children to prevent bullying as and when appropriate, these will include:
1. Having discussions about bullying and why it matters in PHSE lessons, circle time and assemblies.
2. Making it clear to the children ?we are a telling school?. If they see any bullying they must tell a teacher.
3. ?Playground Buddies? identified each day for children to play with if they are lonely or to ask for help is they are having a problem in the playground.
4. Identifying a friendship bench for children to go to if they want someone to play with.




Policy update Summer 2007
Review Summer 2009



HELP ORGANISATIONS:
Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) 020 7354 8321
Children's Legal Centre 0845 345 4345
KIDSCAPE Parents Helpline (Mon-Fri, 10-4) 0845 1 205 204
Parentline Plus 0808 800 2222
Youth Access 020 8772 9900
Bullying Online www.bullying.co.uk

Visit the Kidscape website www.kidscape.org.uk for further support , links and advice.

For a copy of Kidscape's free booklets "Stop Bullying", "Preventing Bullying" and "You Can Beat Bullying", send a large (A4) self-addressed envelope (marked ?Bully Pack?) with 6 first class stamps to:
Kidscape
2 Grosvenor Gardens
London SW1W 0DH Back to top