Chatham Grammar School for Girls Anti-Bullying

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1 Chatham Grammar School for Girls Anti-Bullying This policy was adopted on January The policy was reviewed in January 2015 The policy will be reviewed in July 2017 Policy Updated: July 2016 Measures taken when harassment / bullying occurs Statement of Intent At Chatham Grammar School for Girls we are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our students so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our school. If bullying does occur, all students 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 Homophobic because of, or focussing on the issue of sexuality Verbal name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing Cyber All areas of internet, such as & social media misuse Mobile threats by text messaging & calls Misuse of associated technology, i.e. camera &video facilities. There are different types of cyber bullying which are becoming increasingly common across the country. Cyber bullying utilises modern communication methods to bully. 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. 'Happy slapping' involves filming and sharing physical attacks.

2 Text message bullying involves sending unwelcome texts that are threatening or cause discomfort. Sending offensive, rude and insulting messages. Nasty or humiliating comments on posts, photos and in chatrooms. Repeatedly sending messages that include threats of harm, harassment, intimidating messages or engaging online activities that makes a person afraid for his or her safety. 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 young people when they are in a web-based chat room. Bullying through instant messaging is an Internet form of bullying where children and young people are sent unpleasant messages as they conduct real-time conversations online. Bullying via websites includes the use of defamatory blogs (web logs), personal websites and online personal polling sites. Using sexting text/images as a form of retaliation or as a means to publicly humiliate and cause extreme embarrassment by the use of social media platforms. 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. Schools have a responsibility to 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. Involvement of Students Regularly ask students views on the extent and nature of bullying (through the form time programme) Ensure students know how to express worries and anxieties about bullying (trained peer mentors)

3 Ensure students are aware of the sanctions (assembly) Involve students in anti-bullying campaigns (wristbands) Publicise helplines and websites. Offer support to those students that have been bullied and work with those that have been bullying. Liaison with Parents and Carers. Ensure parents know whom to contact if they are worried about bullying. Ensure parents know where to access independent advice about bullying (website). Links with other policies. This policy links with other school policies and practices including: Behaviour Management Policy Confidentiality Policy Procedures PSHE Policy Equality Policy 1. Report bullying incidents to staff (teacher, form tutor, pastoral manager, Associate Headteacher) 2. Students will be asked to complete an alleged harassment form. 3. In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be recorded by staff 4. In serious cases parents should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem 5. If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted 6. The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly. 7. An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour. 8. The bullying ladder will be implemented if necessary. Outcomes 1. The bully (bullies) may be asked to genuinely apologise. Other consequences may take place. 2. In serious cases, exclusion may be considered (step three of the bullying ladder) 3. If possible, the students will be reconciled 4. 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 KIDSCAPE methods for helping children to prevent bullying. As and when appropriate, these may include: writing a set of school rules signing a behaviour contract having an assembly making up role-plays (or using KIDSCAPE role-plays) having discussions about bullying and why it matters

4 Alleged Harassment Sheets When a student alleges harassment against another student it is investigated and recorded on an Alleged Harassment Sheet. Details of the allegation, the outcomes of any investigation and any action taken is also recorded on the sheet. These are placed on a student s file. Heads of Year / Assistant Headteachers keep records of pupils with harassment allegations on their file. If alleged harassment is persistent and proven, the HOY / Assistant Headteachers will place the pupil on the Bullying Ladder. The Bullying Ladder A student may be placed on this ladder directly if a serious case of bullying can be proved or as a result of a number of harassment allegations. Level 1 A letter is sent to parents to inform them of the fact that their on/daughter has been placed on the bullying ladder and why, the support he/she will be offered, and the consequences of his /her continued behaviour. The student will be offered support / counselling. Level 2 If a student on Level 1 continues to bully, the parents are invited into school to meet with the HOY / Assistant Headteacher and the situation is discussed. Further support strategies are agreed. The consequences of a pupil continuing to bully are discussed. The pupil is asked to sign a contract about his /her behaviour Level 3 This is the final level and warning. Parents invited to a meeting with the Deputy Headteacher. Further support strategies are discussed. It is made clear to the student and the parents that any repeat in bullying will result in a recommendation to the Headteacher for a fixed term / permanent exclusion. A student may be moved down or removed from the ladder if there is no repeat of bullying behaviour. Once removed, a student may be placed back on the ladder if she becomes involved in bullying at a later date. If a student amends behaviour and does not get involved in bullying again, the evidence of being on the ladder will be removed from the school record. Responsibilities The policy will only work if it ensures the whole school community understands that bullying is not tolerated and understands the steps to be taken to both prevent and respond to bullying. It is the responsibility of: School Governors to take lead role in monitoring and reviewing this policy. Governors, the Headteacher, Senior Leaders, Teaching and Non-teaching staff to be aware of the policy and implement it accordingly. The Headteacher to communicate the policy to the school community. Students abide by the policy.

5 Chatham Grammar School for Girls - Anti Bullying Policy Alleged Harassment Recording Sheet Name of Student alleging harassment. Form. Date and place of alleged harassment.. Name of student(s) against whom this allegation is made. Name of member of staff investigating allegation. Details of allegation; STAFF USE ONLY Action taken:-