ANTI-BULLYING (INCLUDING CYBER BULLYING) POLICY

Transcription

1 ANTI-BULLYING (INCLUDING CYBER BULLYING) POLICY This Policy was adopted/reviewed by: The Governing Body of Lifton Community Primary School Chair of: Teaching and Learning Committee Chair of: Chair of: Chair of: 1

2 Lifton Community Primary School Anti-Bullying (Including Cyber Bullying) Policy Aims At Lifton Community Primary School, our school community has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are our pupils. The aim of the anti-bullying policy is to ensure that pupils learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment without fear of being bullied. We are committed to helping all members of the school community to benefit from information and communication technology, whilst understanding its risks, and to equip children with the knowledge and skills to be able to use it safely and responsibly. Bullying is anti-social behaviour and affects everyone; it is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Staff, governors, parents and children at Lifton School are encouraged to work together to create a happy, caring and safe learning environment. It is everyone s responsibility to try to prevent occurrences of bullying and to deal with any incidents quickly and effectively. Only when all issues of bullying are addressed will pupils be able to fully benefit from the opportunities available at school. Definition of Bullying Bullying is defined as deliberately hurtful behaviour, repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves. The Office of Children and Young People s Services Anti-Bullying Strategy defines bullying as a persistent, deliberate attempt to hurt or humiliate someone. There may sometimes be misunderstanding about the meaning of the term bullying : one-off incidents, whilst they may be very serious and must always be dealt with, do not fall within the definition of bullying. There are various types of bullying, but most have three things in common: 1) It is deliberately hurtful behaviour 2) It is repeated over time 3) There is an imbalance of power, which makes it hard for those being bullied to defend themselves. Bullying is a series of acts which can intimidate, frighten or hurt another person. Bullying is when there is an imbalance of power. The person/people doing the bullying is/are stronger, or there are more of them or they have more influence or power. Types of Bullying The main types of bullying are: 2

3 Verbal/Psychological Bullying threats, taunts, shunning, name-calling/verbal abuse or spreading of rumours Social Bullying - ostracised or left out of peer group activities, spreading rumours Material Bullying - when possessions are stolen or damaged or extortion takes place Emotional Bullying - including pressure to conform Physical Bullying kicking, hitting, pushing, intimidating behaviour or interference with personal property Sexual Bullying unwanted/inappropriate physical contact or sexual innuendo Sexist Bullying use of sexist language or negative stereotyping based on gender Racist Bullying racist remarks, physical, verbal, written on-line or text abuse or ridicule based on differences of race, colour, ethnicity, nationality, culture, Faith or language Homophobic Bullying Offensive jokes, mockery and deliberate exclusion from conversation and social activity, name-calling innuendo or negative stereotyping based on sexual orientation or use of homophobic language. Homophobia is defined as irrational dislike, hatred and fear of individual who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. More Able/Talented Bullying name-calling, innuendo, ostracism or negative peer pressure based on high levels of ability or effort SEN/Disability Bullying name-calling, innuendo, negative stereotyping or excluding from activity based on disability or learning difficulties Cyber Bullying Abuse on-line or via text message, interfering with electronic files, setting up or promoting inappropriate websites and inappropriate sharing if images from webcams/mobile phones Cyber-Bullying Cyber-bullying may be defined as: The use of information and communications technology (ICT), particularly mobile phones and the internet, deliberately to upset someone else (DCSF 2008). Lifton Primary School has a clear policy for use of the internet in school. There is a clear Use of the Internet Code of Conduct, visible throughout the school and children sign an Internet Code Agreement which is re-visited regularly. Staff members attends regular Safeguarding training, and are kept updated with cyberbullying trends. Pupils have embraced the use of information and communication technologies to maintain contact with friends and make new ones. They send s, create their own websites, post personal news in blogs (online interactive diaries), send text messages and images via mobile phones, message each other through IMs (instant messages), chat in chat rooms, post to discussion boards, and seek out new friends in community sites such as Facebook. The school recognises that technology plays an important and positive role in pupils lives, both educationally and socially. It is committed to helping 3

4 all members of the school community to understand both the benefits and the risks, and to equip pupils with the knowledge and skills to be able to use technology safely and responsibly. This policy aims to ensure that: 1. Pupils, staff and parents know about cyber bullying and its consequences; 2. We have the knowledge, policies and procedures to prevent and, if necessary, to deal with cyber bullying in school or within the school community; 3. We have effective measures to deal effectively with cases of cyber-bullying 4. We monitor the effectiveness of our procedures. Seven Categories of Cyber Bullying Text message bullying - involves sending unwelcome texts that are threatening or cause discomfort. Picture/video-clip bullying via mobile phone cameras - is used to make the person being bullied feel threatened or embarrassed, with images usually sent to other people. Phone call bullying via mobile phone - uses silent calls or abusive messages. Sometimes the bullied person s phone is stolen and used to harass others, who then think the phone owner is responsible. As with all mobile phone bullying, the perpetrators often disguise their numbers, sometimes using someone else s phone to avoid being identified. bullying - uses to send bullying or threatening messages, often using a pseudonym for anonymity or using someone else s name to pin the blame on them. Chat room bullying - involves sending menacing or upsetting responses to children or young people when they are in a web-based chat room. Bullying through instant messaging (IM) - is an Internet-based form of bullying where children and young people are sent unpleasant messages as they conduct real-time conversations online (i.e. MSN, Bebo, Facebook, Twitter, etc.). Bullying via websites - includes the use of defamatory blogs (web logs), personal websites and online personal polling sites. There has also been a significant increase in social networking sites for young people, which can provide new opportunities for cyber bullying. Staff at Lifton Primary School have the responsibility to ensure that: all forms of cyber bullying are prohibited at school staff are aware of cyber bullying and are able to identify and look for signs of occurrence among the pupils pupils are aware of the consequences of cyber bullying a code of conduct is in use for technology, including computers and mobile phones, whilst on the school premises all cases of cyber bullying are reported to the Headteacher and responded to promptly 4

5 there is supervision of technology that is effective for monitoring and deterring cyber bullying Pupils at Lifton Primary School have a responsibility to ensure that they: do not bring in mobile phones to school do not participate in cyber bullying do not use mobile phones, cameras or other digital devices to record audio and visual material that is not authorised as part of the school curriculum program do not breach the privacy of pupils, staff and members of the school community through any unauthorised recording or filming do not disseminate inappropriate information through digital media or other means report incidents of cyber bullying to a member of staff advise pupils being victimised by cyber bullying to talk to an adult offer to speak to an adult on behalf of the pupil who is being victimised by cyber bullying Lifton School is committed to developing a safe environment where the pupils act respectfully and positively towards each other in acceptable and non-threatening ways. How pupils can protect themselves from cyber bullies: Do not give anyone access to your passwords or provide people you don t trust with your phone number. Be careful which websites you post personal information on. Do not open s or read text messages from unidentified names or phone numbers. Tell a teacher or a member of the Senior Leadership Team First and foremost, save original evidence ( s, instant messages, etc) with dates and times Signs and Symptoms A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that they are being bullied. Pupils who are being bullied may show changes in behaviour, such as becoming shy and nervous, feigning illness, taking unusual absences or clinging to adults. There may be evidence of changes in work patterns, lacking concentration or truanting from school. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and should investigate if a young person: is frightened of walking to or from a specific area becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence starts stammering attempts or threatens suicide or runs away comes home with clothes torn feigns illness clings to adults has possessions which are damaged or " go missing" asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay bully) 5

6 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 is afraid to use the internet or mobile phone is nervous & jumpy when a cyber message is received These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated. Pupils must be encouraged to report bullying in schools. All school staff must be alert to the signs of bullying and act promptly and firmly against it in accordance with school policy. Statutory Duty of Schools The head teacher has a legal duty under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to draw up procedures to prevent bullying among pupils and to bring these procedures to the attention of staff, parents and pupils. Implementation The following steps are taken when dealing with incidents: If bullying is suspected or reported, the incident will be dealt with immediately by the member of staff who has been approached A clear account of the incident will be recorded and given to the head teacher The head teacher will interview all concerned and will record the incident Class teachers will be kept informed and if it persists will inform the head teacher Parents will be kept informed Punitive measures will be used as appropriate and in consultation with all parties concerned Supporting Pupils Pupils who have been bullied will be supported by: offering an immediate opportunity to discuss the experience with a member of staff of their choice or staff counsellors. creating special safe spaces targeted at vulnerable children reassuring the pupil offering continuous support by all staff including lunchtime staff restoring self-esteem and confidence Pupils who have bullied will be helped by: discussing what happened discovering why the pupil became involved 6

7 establishing the wrong doing and need to change informing parents or guardians to help change the attitude of the pupil The following disciplinary steps can be taken: official warnings to cease offending exclusion from certain areas of school premises minor fixed-term exclusion major fixed-term exclusion permanent exclusions Raising Awareness Within the curriculum the school will raise the awareness of the nature of bullying in an attempt to eradicate such behaviour. We will do this through: Inclusion in PSHE, using SEAL resources to develop pupils social and emotional skills An active School Council, representatives from which discuss issues related to bullying Holding an annual anti-bullying week in-line with the national campaign Appointing peer mediators who can be a child s first contact point, if they feel they cannot tell an adult Assemblies where issues related to bullying are covered and discussed Huff and Puff playtime equipment and the appointment of Playground Leaders which encourage teamwork and participation, skills which discourage the concept of bullying. Supporting the School Community Other steps we take to support everyone in the school community are:- To work with outside agencies (e.g. EWO) to identify all forms of prejudicedriven bullying as well as different methods of bullying such as cyberbullying. To reassure children that all bullying concerns will be dealt with sensitively and effectively. To keep a record of all incidence of bullying, according to our agreed definition To regularly canvass children s views on the extent and nature of bullying and encourage them to express worries and anxieties about bullying. To create peer mentoring/buddying or counselling/mediation for vulnerable pupils To ensure that parents and carers bullying concerns are taken seriously and dealt with immediately. Evaluation and Review This policy will be reviewed every three years to assess its implementation and effectiveness. The policy will be promoted and implemented throughout the school. 7