Anti-Bullying Policy

 

This policy should be read in conjunction with the
Policy for PSHE
Policy for Positive Behaviour Management
Policy for Teaching and Learning
The Children Act 2004
Every Child Matters Agenda
Healthy Schools Initiative
 
This policy has been written with council representation.
The children defined bullying as:

It is not teasing or falling out or making you play games you do not want to play

 
What Is Bullying?
Constant put downs - untruths
Nasty notes
Lying
Verbal abuse
Physical abuse
Threats
 
Thus bullying is . …Deliberately hurtful behaviour repeated over a period of time, which may be verbal (including racist), physical, social or psychological.
 
 
Aims
* We aim to be a ‘telling’ school where anyone who sees bullying or has it done to them tells an adult.
* To inform parents of the bully of recorded incidences.
* To make known to children the consequences for ‘bullying behaviour’
* To teach children how to walk away from a bully.
* ‘R Time’ – which focuses on good relationships is timetabled weekly.
* The Learning Mentor leads circle time for groups as and when needed.
 
To help prevent bullying we aim to adopt a ‘no blame’ approach. Using this method the bullying is the focus not the bully. The school has 2 qualified Learning Mentors who assist children in overcoming any barriers to learning.
The ‘no blame’ approach adopts a seven-step response to an incidence of bullying;
 
* The member of staff interviews the pupil who has been bullied – This may need to be in the presence of another adult, depending upon the circumstances
* The member of staff convenes a meeting with the pupils involved
* The staff member explains the problem
* The group shares the responsibility
* The staff member asks the group for their ideas
* The staff member asks the group for their decision
* The staff member meets with the group if necessary, after a few days, to review progress made.
 
Bullying of a serious nature may be recorded in the serious incident book – parents should be notified
 
Advice from Pupils
  • Tell someone – preferably an adult (could use ‘Bubble Time)
  • Walk away
  • Try not to be alone – go find friends
  • Stick up for yourself
  • ‘Flag it’ – say ‘that’s nice’ and walk away
  • Keep around adults
  • Make lots of friends
  • Be nice to every one – give no reason to be bullied
  • Tell Who?
  • Tell How long?
  • Tell How often?
  • Tell Who else has seen?
  • Has anyone else been bullied by the same person?
  • Have you told anyone before?
What Next?
Pupils suggest
o Talk to Headteacher.
o Bullies should miss some playtimes away from others and if serious attend after school detention.
o Tell a prefect.
o We could have a ‘Chill Out Room’ – Learning Mentor’s room.
o Work with the Learning Mentor.
o Have assemblies on ‘bullying’.
o Training for everyone.
o Raise self esteem of bullies.
o Writing notes ‘I will not bully’.
o Introduce Playground Pals.
o Have toys in the playground but use them sensibly.
o Give us things to do at playtimes.
 
Parents
  • Inform the school if you think your child is being bullied
  • Try to establish facts and keep an open mind
  • Refer to the policy
  • Talk about the definition of bullying with your child
  • Some parents would like bullies to receive more homework
 
Do not ask your child every day if they have been bullied. This only raises an issue that may not be present at all and your child may answer to please you. Raise positive issues – What were you good at/ like at school today?
 
Some key facts
· The nature of bullying changes, as children grow older
· Most bullying is not physical but emotional.
· Bullying exists in all ages, social, ethnic and gender groups in both urban and rural settings, in small and large communities/schools.
· Those who witness bullying are as deeply affected as those who are bullied.
· Bullies tend to be sad or unhappy children, have few real friends and seek to have power over weaker pupils because an older or bigger person has sought to overpower them(physically and /or verbally). They are often angry children, seek to blame others for their faults and copy feuding or aggressive adult behaviour.
 
Members of Staff
  • All staff view bullying as unacceptable.
  • Staff understand that relationships are based on mutual respect, trust, caring and consideration for others rather than on power and strength.
  • Staff challenge that bullying is inevitable in life’.
  • Children are encouraged to practise helping skills taught and modelled to them.
  • Staff aim to prevent, and not just control bullying, by providing adequate supervision arrangements at times and places where bullying is likely to take place.
  • Staff record all incidences of bullying appropriately, which ensures good communication.
  • All reports of bullying are taken seriously, enquiries made and outcomes fed back to those involved.
 
A copy of this policy is available in school and circulated to families.
 
 
Signed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Chairman of Governors . . . . . . . . . . . . .Date
 
Signed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Headteacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date
 
Review Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .