Anti-Bullying Policy

Bullying is an anti social behaviour which significantly impacts on the well being of those involved. It is essential that any instance of bullying are dealt with effectively for children to fully benefit from the opportunities available at school.

 

Definition of bullying

Bullying is any behaviour by a group or individual that:

• Is meant to hurt (physically or emotionally)- the person or persons doing the bullying are aware of the impact of their actions
• Happens more than once- it is not just a one off incident
• Involves an imbalance of power- the person being bullied is unable to defend themselves

It can be:

• Physical e.g. kicking, hitting, taking and/or damaging belongings
• Verbal e.g.name calling, taunting, threats, offensive remarks
• Relational e.g. spreading nasty stories, gossiping, excluding from social groups
• Cyber e.g. texts, e-mails, picture/video bullying, instant messaging (IM)
•  

When a person or group of people’s behaviour, over a period of time, leaves someone feeling one or more of the following:

• Physically and/or mentally hurt or worried
• Unsafe and/or frightened
• Unable to do well and achieve
• Alone, unimportant and/or undervalued
• Unable to see a happy and exciting future for themselves

…bullying could be taking place and needs to be considered following school procedures.

 

When a person, or group of people, has been made aware of the effects of their behaviour on another person and they continue to behave in the same manner

…this is bullying and the anti bullying procedures need to be implemented.

 

Whenever there is a question of bullying taking place it needs to be investigated but the deliberate nature of the bullying needs to be identified.

 

Responding to reports about bullying

The school will take the following steps when dealing with concerns about bulling:

• If bullying is suspected or reported it will be dealt with immediately by the member of staff who has been made aware of it
• A clear account of the concern will be recorded and given to the headteacher
• The headteacher will interview everyone involved and keep a detailed record
• Classteachers will be kept informed
• Parents and other relevant adults will be kept informed as appropriate
• Disciplinary measures will be used as appropriate and in consultation with all parties involved.

Instances where bulling has taken place

Pupils who have been bullied will be supported by:

• Having immediate adult response to their concern
• Reassurance the issue will be addressed
• Continued support with a named contact for follow up discussions
• Input to build self-esteem where appropriate
• The use of specialist interventions and referral to other agencies where appropriate

 

The following disciplinary steps may be taken at the discretion of the headteacher

• Official warnings to cease offending
• Put “on report”
• Loss of playtime
• Fixed term exclusion
• Permanent exclusion

 

Preventative measures

The school will:

• Raise awareness of the nature of bullying through PHSCE, circle time, assemblies etc.
• Use specific strategies e.g. peer mentoring

 

Monitoring and evaluation

All instances of bullying will be reported termly to both the governing body and the Local Authority. Records will be kept on file of all instances for the perpetrator and the victim.

Reviews will be carried out regularly with the children involved after the initial course of action to ensure that there are no further problems.

Review Summer 2021