Anti-Bullying Policy

Transcription

1 Anti-Bullying Policy Date Adopted January 2011 Version 2.0 Last Reviewed 13 July 2013 Review Cycle Annual Committee Responsible Anti-bullying group 1 Purpose of the policy: To define the schools aims, values and procedures in the event of bullying. This policy applies to all school staff, governors, pupils and visitors to school. To ensure that a positive and safe learning environment is developed and maintained in which bullying will not be tolerated. To promote inclusion, mutual respect, self-esteem and self worth in order to meet the physical, emotional and mental health needs of all members of the school community. To clearly identify to children the avenues for reporting bullying. To clearly identify to all stakeholders in the school, definitions of bullying, how it may be reported, how it will be dealt with and where it is reported. To raise the standards of behaviour and levels of achievement of all. 2 Rationale behind the policy: Bullying, in any form, will not be tolerated at our school. As a listening and telling school we are committed to the creation of a positive and safe learning environment for all. Bullying is present to a greater or lesser extent in all institutions. All members of the school community deserve the right to feel valued, equal and respected and be able to come to school without fear. Bullying has a serious effect on a pupil s self esteem, emotional and mental health. This prevents them from developing their full potential and can seriously affect their life chances. 2.1 Our school s definition of bullying is: 2.2 Bullying can be defined as an abuse of power by one or more people through repeated hurtful or aggressive behaviour with 2.3 the intention to cause emotional or physical harm to another 2.4 person. Anti-Bullying Policy Version 2.0 Reviewed Feb 2013 Page 1 of 12

2 3 Bullying behaviour: We recognise that anyone can be a bully or a victim and that bullying can take many forms. Bullying is classed as serious misbehaviour. 3.1 Bullying can be related to: race, religion or culture sexual orientation( or alleged orientation) or of a sexual or sexist nature disability or SEN appearance or health family circumstances academic or sporting ability 3.2 Bullying can include: physical: hitting, kicking, stealing or hiding belongings, sexual assault verbal or written: name calling, insulting, racist remarks, offensive sexual remarks, taunting, mocking, threatening language, producing offensive graffiti. Indirect/emotional: spreading nasty stories, excluding from groups, forced joining of groups, graffiti, defacing property, displaying literature or materials of a racist, sexist or pornographic nature. Cyber-bullying: offensive or abusive text or messages, sending offensive or degrading images by phone, or via the internet. 3.3 Bullying outside school The Head teacher has the power to respond to bullying behaviour involving pupils whilst out of school; be it on a school trip, school activity or in the community. Conduct that threatens the health and safety of pupils, staff or members of the community will not be tolerated. The Head teacher will consider the evidence available and if the claim is proven will impose sanctions in line with the schools general behaviour policy. In serious cases where an offence may have been committed the Head teacher may contact the local police. This policy is the outcome of consultation between all members of the school community (pupils, teaching and support staff, governors and parents) through questionnaires and meetings. 4 Guidelines for implementing policy: All members of the school community accept collective responsibility for the successful implementation of this policy. It is recognised that the Head teacher and Governing Body have a statutory responsibility for school behaviour and discipline. Pupils are encouraged to report all incidents of bullying, whether they are victims or bystanders. Pupil reporting options could include class teacher or class room assistants, Member of the Senior Management Team, the Head Teacher, playground ground supervisors, lunchtime support supervisors, peers, and parents/carers. Anti-Bullying Policy Version 2.0 Reviewed Feb 2013 Page 2 of 12

3 All staff will respond to pupil, staff or parental concerns seriously and support the agreed procedures. 1) A guide to the route of reporting bullying is detailed in figure 1. The reporting structure in the first instance is that the class teacher should be the initial point of contact. We recognise that a report of bullying may not initially be made to the class teacher, but they should be the first point of call for any other party that has an incident to report. This should ensure that children are free to talk about an issue to anyone at any time if they need to. The level of authority and sanction that needs to be applied is considered after investigations/conversations are made with relevant parties and the circumstances established. 2) A guide to the level and actions for a report of bullying is detailed in figure 2. The normal order of reporting should be: Class Teacher =>SMT /key stage leaders => Head Teacher. Occasions of persistent bullying will be reported to the SMT and/or the Head Teacher. The behaviour log is located in the Heads office. Incidents should be recorded in the behaviour log. The Guidelines for dealing with pupils exhibiting misbehaviour (see appendix 2) is located in the behaviour log, to act as a quick prompt to ensure all staff deal with misbehaviour consistently. Sanctions could include: Report to Parents Playtime withdrawal Lunchtime play withdrawal Privileges withdrawn Golden time withdrawn Huff and Puff playtime equipment ban Leading into more serious sanctions: Lunchtime exclusion. Fixed term exclusion. Anti-Bullying Policy Version 2.0 Reviewed Feb 2013 Page 3 of 12

4 A guide to the route of reporting bullying School Governors Police Local Authority Head Teacher Senior Management Team Class Room Teacher Parent/carer Head Teacher Lunch time supervisor Reports incident in supervisors log book Reports incident to class room teacher A report of bullying may be made via a number of routes. Peers Class room Assistants Playground supervisor Reports incident in supervisors log book Reports incident to class room teacher Senior Management team Figure 1 Anti-Bullying Policy Version 2.0 Reviewed Feb 2013 Page 4 of 12

5 5 Reporting bullying, recording and evaluating the policy Level of responsibility Actions Examples of further actions School Governor Looking for trends from head teacher report Dialogue with Head Teacher. Review of policies. Head Teacher Discussion with Head teacher. Interview with parent and child. Check records in lunchtime logs Exclusion from school for a fixed period. Permanent exclusion from School. May report to governors in Head Teachers Report. Record in Pupil behaviour Folder Report Involve outside agencies. Senior Management Team Review investigations. Interview with parent and child. Ensure incident reported in behaviour log Monitor and review behaviour. Review sanctions. Class Teacher Playground and Lunch time Assistants Investigate allegations with victim, bully/bully s and any witness. Parents informed face to face or by telephone call. Agree sanctions Ensure incident reported in behaviour log. Report incident in log. Report incident to Class Teacher. Monitor and review behaviour, enforce sanctions. Ensure victim is supported. Talk through feelings with Victim and Bully. Ensure policy is fully understood by Bully, and why what they have done is considered bullying. Report to further management levels if necessary. Sanctions shared with both victim and perpetrator/s. Governors & any other visitor to the school Parents Report incident to Class teacher. Report incident to class teacher. Agree plan of action. Parents may be encouraged to keep an incident log Figure 2 Anti-Bullying Policy Version 2.0 Reviewed Feb 2013 Page 5 of 12

6 6 Evaluating the policy The policy will be monitored and evaluated annually and will involve all Stakeholders undertaking training and all members of staff to read and sign their understanding of the policy (see Appendix 3) 7 Summary of Proactive and Reactive Strategies Our proactive strategies include: We are a listening and telling school. This is the message that will be promoted at all times and with all audiences. There is an agreed collective responsibility to address any incidents of bullying observed. The School Council will discuss the issue of bullying regularly Peer support systems for pupils will be promoted and training provided for both staff and pupils. Parents will be encouraged to actively support the policy at parents evenings by signing the home-school agreement (attached as appendix 1) and promoting the School s Behaviour Policy Annually the issue of bullying will be raised in order to maintain awareness of the issue through school assemblies and prominent pictorial displays and posters. Every opportunity to promote whole school initiatives such as an anti-bullying day, involvement in anti-bullying week, The Governing body and SMT will monitor bullying via staff meetings, auditing proformas from pupils and parents and an annual questionnaire on bullying and school practice for pupils to complete. Bullying will be addressed within the PSHCE Curriculum. All staff will receive training on the identification, prevention and management of bullying. At the start of a new school year procedures for dealing with a bullying incident will be discussed at an early staff meeting. The policy will be discussed and then distributed to all new staff. Our reactive strategies In the event of a bullying incident the same procedures will be followed as for all other incidents of poor behaviour (see School Behaviour policy.) Staff will gather evidence and consult with their line manager. In all cases details of the incident and action taken will be recorded. Parents of both the victim and the bully will be kept fully involved. If it is a serious incident temporary or permanent exclusion will be considered after a full review of the facts. Bullying incidents will be logged and monitored on a termly basis by the Head, or named member of the SMT. This information will be given to the Governing body each term as part of the Head s Report. Anti-Bullying Policy Version 2.0 Reviewed Feb 2013 Page 6 of 12

7 8 Other Policies and documents linked to the Anti-bullying policy. Behaviour policy ICT Protocol of Action Guidelines for behaviour policy. Home School Agreement School Council Child Friendly Policy (see Appendix 1) Guidelines for dealing with pupils misbehaviour. (See appendix 2). LTS training, and committing to policy agreement. Annual list of staff that have read and signed up to the Anti-bullying policy. (See Appendix 3). Staff being bullied by Senior Management Staff or Head Teacher (See Appendix 4) Anti-Bullying Policy Version 2.0 Reviewed Feb 2013 Page 7 of 12

8 Appendix 1 Child Friendly Safeguarding Policies Key Stage 1 Anti-Bullying Policy Version 2.0 Reviewed Feb 2013 Page 8 of 12

9 Key Stage 2 Anti-Bullying Policy Version 2.0 Reviewed Feb 2013 Page 9 of 12

10 Appendix 2 Guidelines for Dealing with Pupil s Misbehaviour Anti-Bullying Policy Version 2.0 Reviewed Feb 2013 Page 10 of 12

11 Appendix 3 Annual commitment to the Anti-bullying policy, date: Please read the anti-bullying policy, and sign you have committed to it. Date Name Position Anti-Bullying Policy Version 2.0 Reviewed Feb 2013 Page 11 of 12

12 Appendix 4 Staff being Bullied by Senior Management/Head Teacher Please see separate Staff Anti-Bullying policy Anti-Bullying Policy Version 2.0 Reviewed Feb 2013 Page 12 of 12