ANTI BULLYING POLICY DATE OF POLICY: This policy will be reviewed regularly and appropriately REVISION DATE: November 2013
MISSION STATEMENT ANTI BULLYING POLICY We live, love and learn with Jesus. AIMS This policy takes into account the DFE guidance Safe to Learn Embedding anti-bullying work in schools and the new DfE Guidance 2011 Preventing and Tackling Bullying Advice for School Leaders, Staff and Governors.. In order to fulfil these aims it is necessary to have a clear policy on bullying in order that it can be prevented in the first instance or dealt with promptly and effectively. Staff, pupils and parents should be aware that bullying can take place in many forms. Bullying can be racial, religious, cultural, sexual/sexist, homophobic, disability and cyber (social websites, mobile phones, text messages, photograph and email). Everyone should be aware that any form of bullying is extremely distressing for the victim and cannot be tolerated. All staff and children should be vigilant in ensuring that all instances of bullying are reported and dealt with as soon as they are witnessed. This policy should be considered in conjunction with the school s behaviour policy and applies equally to the EYFS and the before and after school provision. Aims and objectives Bullying is wrong and can cause physical, emotional and psychological damage in children. We therefore do all we can to prevent it, by developing a whole school ethos in which bullying is regarded as unacceptable. We aim, as a school, to create a safe and secure environment where all can learn without anxiety, and measures are in place to reduce the likelihood of bullying. This policy aims to produce a consistent school response to any bullying incidents that may occur. We aim to make all those connected with the school aware of our opposition to bullying and we make clear each person s responsibilities. What counts as bullying? Types of bullying: Page 2
Name calling Racist Religious Cultural Disability Special Educational Needs Sexual, sexist or homophobic Threats and intimidation Physical abuse such as hitting, pinching, biting, pushing and shoving Taking belongings Making abusive or silent telephone calls Sending offensive text messages or e mails Posting insulting messages or images on the internet Spreading malicious rumours about someone Excluding someone from a social group Because a child is adopted or is a carer Bullying usually has 3 things in common: It is deliberate hurtful behaviour It is repeated over a period of time It is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves PREVENTION All children should be taught to respect others, to appreciate their feelings and to avoid behaving in such a way that will cause offence or hurt to others. The children should value themselves and others while appreciating that we are all different but special. Through RE, EPR, PSHE, citizenship and assemblies children must be taught the importance of valuing and caring for each other. Children must also be taught to speak out and inform staff, parents or even another pupil or a member of school council if anyone makes them feel unhappy, frightened or uncomfortable. They must be made aware that this is not 'tale-telling' but is being responsible informing someone that something is wrong and something is happening that should not be. Children should also let staff or parents know if they witness any bullying incidents. It is important that children should feel able to speak out and that staff should be ready to listen. It is important the children know who they can go to if they need to talk. PROCEDURES Any bullying should always be reported to the Head and in the Head s absence the Deputy. Page 3
All children involved should be spoken to separately in order to gain a clear picture of what has been happening. A child who feels they are being bullied can speak to their class teacher or any adult in whom they have confidence. The child who is bullying should be made aware of the unhappiness that is being caused. They should be asked why they are behaving in such a way. Ways of amending the situation should be discussed with the child. Parents of all children should be involved, made aware of the incident and the proposals for improving the situation and be made clear about the part they can play to prevent bullying, including when they find themselves as bystanders.. The victim and their parents must be requested to monitor the situation. All staff, including lunchtime assistants, should be aware of bullying incidents and of the children involved in order that they can be observed on the playground. Any further causes for concern should be reported to the Head. The incident sheets are kept in the secretary s office and must be used to record concerns. Detailed records of bullying incidents must be made and stored in the Head's office. Bullying incidents should be monitored by the Head teacher the frequency of certain forms of bullying noted and discussed with staff.- SANCTIONS Any sanctions imposed for bullying will be reported to the head and a letter sent to parents. Meeting with Head/Parents/Child. Final warning before Report Book. In addition pupils will be warned that such behaviour is unacceptable. Victims will be monitored to ensure there are no adverse effects of the bullying and that the bullying has stopped. Support will also be given to both the victim and the bully in order to prevent further bullying. If the bullying behaviour continues the identified and proven aggressor will be excluded from play/social activities for an appropriate period of time as decided by the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or Class Teacher. Where no improvement in the bullying behaviour takes place the school reserves the right to request that the pupils be withdrawn from the school, effective immediately. If this is refused the Headteacher will follow steps to expel the pupil. COUNSELLING Page 4
Pupils who are consistently the victims of bullying will be given support and assistance to develop positive strategies and self-assertion; pupils found guilty of bullying will also be given support and assistance to change their behaviour. USE OF THE CURRICULUM The Curriculum mainly through the PSHE lessons assemblies etc will be used to: Raise awareness about bullying and the anti-bullying policy Increase understanding for victims, and help build an anti-bullying ethos Teach pupils how constructively to manage their relationships with others In Anti-bullying week PSHE lessons are focused on anti-bullying. In addition the contents of this anti-bullying policy together with any reminders will be mentioned to pupils at assemblies. The curriculum generally may be used to reinforce the anti-bullying approach. Opportunities to raise awareness to help prevent it can be found in project work, drama, stories, literature, historical events, and current affairs amongst others. STAFF TRAINING Raising awareness of staff through training (so that the principles of the school policy are understood, legal responsibilities are known, action is defined to resolve and prevent problems, and sources of available support are understood), taking action to reduce the risk of bullying at times and in places where it is likely to occur. STAFF BULLYING Bullying may occur between professional teaching staff, support staff and voluntary workers. Overwork can lead to bullying with the bully inflicting their frustration and anger on their colleagues. Telltale signs are indicated in the following: general low morale increased level of staff turnover high rates of absenteeism frequent disputes, complaints, grievances isolated member of staff inefficient team working ACTION Staff must be encouraged to be supportive of each other and must feel able to discuss concerns, pressures of work etc with the Head or Deputy. Any dissatisfaction with the outcome after discussion with the Head or Deputy may be referred to the Management Committee. REVIEW OF THIS POLICY Page 5
This policy will be reviewed annually by the whole staff and/or in the light of any incident that may occur related to bullying. Part of the review will involve consideration of instances of bullying during the year, any trends and action that the school can take to prevent bullying in the future. SOCIAL GROUP The SENCO runs a social group with children who need extra support in socialising. Updated 2012 Name Date Incident Bullying Allegation Follow up Action Page 6
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