Date created May 2011 Created by Mrs H. McNeill and Governors Working Party Reviewed 4 th November Reviewed by Changes Next Review date Governors Safeguarding Committee None November 2016 1. Introduction The Government has made tackling in schools a key priority, and has made clear that all forms of, including those motivated by prejudice, must not be tolerated and must always incur a disciplinary sanction. No-one should suffer the pain and indignity that can cause. It is the aim of everyone at Pollington-Balne CE Primary School that we provide a safe, happy and loving learning environment that allows all children to achieve best outcomes. 2. What is? The Department for Child and Family Services definition of : behaviour by an individual or group, usually repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally. Bullying includes: Name-calling, taunting, mocking, making offensive comments Kicking, hitting, pushing Taking belongings Inappropriate text messaging and emailing, sending offensive or degrading images by phone or via the internet Producing offensive graffiti Gossiping Excluding people from groups spreading hurtful and untruthful rumours Page 1
Although sometimes occurring between two individuals in isolation, it quite often takes place in the presence of others 3. Pupils are bullied for a variety of reasons specific types of Specific types of include: Bullying related to race, religion or culture Bullying related to special educational needs or disabilities Bullying related to appearance or health conditions Bullying related to sexual orientation Bullying of young carers or looked-after children or otherwise related to home circumstances Sexist or sexual Bullying of children with a non-assertive personality There is no hierarchy of all forms of are, taken equally seriously and dealt with appropriately 4. What do we know about those who are bullied? Children may be reluctant to report for fear of repeat harm, and because of a concern that nothing can be done. It is therefore our aim to show that school can support children to prevent harm, that is not tolerated, and that there are solutions which work. Children may not report because they may feel it is something within them which is at fault. Children therefore need to receive a clear message from Pollington-Balne CE Primary that nobody ever deserves to be bullied. It is important to us that we demonstrate that is a whole school issue, and that of any member of the school community will be taken seriously and dealt with effectively. Children with learning disabilities or communication difficulties may not understand that they are being bullied, or that they are, or may have difficulty explaining that they are being bullied. School staff should look out for signs of, and act if they suspect a child is being bullied, or is involved in. 5. Children not directly involved in may be unsure of what to do Page 2
Our advice to them is if you know it s happening, always tell a teacher, another adult, school councillor, or friend! 6. Possible signs that a child is being bullied Some children may be more vulnerable than others. It is important that we are sensitive to children who, because of their behaviours or circumstances, may be vulnerable. Some signs of are: Deteriorating attendance Poor punctuality Lack of progress Diminishing achievement can indicate that the pupil is vulnerable in some way and susceptible to, or suffering already from,. Disengagement/withdrawing from school Children being bullied may also demonstrate: Emotional and behavioural changes Physical problems such as headaches and stomach pains Signs of depression 7. Steps taken to prevent at Pollington-Balne CE Primary School Curriculum opportunities are used to address Pupil support systems are in place to prevent and respond to (worry boxes, conflict books, button on website) We have addressed school site issues, which are reviewed regularly and promote monitored safe play areas All staff take part in relevant professional development, and are clear about their roles and responsibilities in preventing and responding to. At least one whole staff Page 3
inset per year will be delivered. All staff will be provided with a flowchart of internal support, so that staff with skills in particular areas can be called upon where needed. All staff are aware of the importance of modeling positive relationships Data systems gather useful information about the effectiveness of the anti- work, and this data is used for monitoring and evaluation, and is shared with the school community. This data will be stored electronically, and in a Bullying File, to be kept in the school s Safeguarding cabinet. This will be available to all staff, under the same conditions as Child Protection information, and will be managed by the Headteacher. We work in partnership with parents, other schools, with Children s Services and community partners to promote safe communities. 8. What can parents do? Ensure they are clear that the school does not tolerate. Ensure they are aware of procedures to use if they feel concerned that their child is being bullied, or does not feel safe Have confidence that the school will take any complaint about seriously, and investigate/resolve as necessary. 9. What parents should do if they think their child is being bullied Gather as many facts and information as possible about specific incidents (if possible dates and times), and named children. Assure your child that they have done the right thing in telling, and that the will stop. Report the incident to the class teacher as soon as possible. Expect to receive follow-up information as to what action has been taken, and how your child will be supported. For acts of serious physical harm, this may be reported directly to the headtacher. 10. School procedure for addressing incidents of The class teacher/headteacher, will record, in writing, all reports of alleged. Page 4
Further Further Further Pollington-Balne Church of England Primary School School will investigate fully speaking to adults, children, bystanders, witnesses, and individually. When an allegation of has been made to a member of staff, that member of staff will see the investigation process through to its conclusion, wherever possible. Parents of the child alleged to be will be contacted, by the Headteacher, prior to the issuing of any letters, to discuss the issue. The allegation will be shared with relevant staff to ensure the alleged victim does not come to further harm while the investigation is taking place. Pupils may be asked to produce confidential written statements when appropriate. These statements will be retained within school. If investigations result in allegations being substantiated, those children who have been the participants will receive sanctions as per the pathway (see attached summary). If the allegation is not substantiated, no further record will be kept. The first sanction is a green letter, sent out to parents, describing the incident. Parents will be encouraged to come into school at this point to discuss the issue. If there are no further incidents of during a period of 12 school weeks, the child is removed from the pathway. If, during the 12 week period there are further incidents, the child will move to subsequent stages of the pathway: 1 st Green letter 2 nd Green letter With Individual Behaviour Plan 3 rd Green letter With review of Individual Behaviour Plan 1 st Red letter With review of IBP, additional support Page 5
Further Pollington-Balne Church of England Primary School 2 nd Red letter With fixed period of in-school seclusion 3 rd Red letter With fixed period of exclusion At whatever stage of the pathway the child is on, after 12 school weeks with no further incidents, the child will be removed from the pathway. Children persistently moving onto and off the pathway, will be monitored closely, and there may come a point when, due to this persistence, they may be moved to the red letter stage. School will make a written record of any action taken all written records will be stored in the Bullying Log, which will be accessible to the Senior Leadership Team. It may be necessary to issue those involved in the, with an individual behaviour plan, and further support. When other strategies and sanctions do not resolve the problem, and the incidents of continue, exclusion may be justified in the most serious and persistent cases, particularly where violence is involved. Without providing very specific details, the bullied child will be informed that action is taking place, and will be assured and supported so that they feel safe. This pathway will form part of the school s transition process. 11. The purpose of sanctions for those participating in To impress on the child that what he/she has done is unacceptable. Deter him/her from repeating that behaviour. Signal to other pupils that the behaviour is unacceptable and deter them from doing it. Protect those who are being bullied. Page 6
Sanctions for are intended to hold pupils who bully to account for their behaviour, and ensure that they face up to the harm they have caused and to learn from it. They also provide an opportunity for the pupil to put right the harm they have caused. Page 7