Anti-Bullying Policy
Statement of Intent
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, severely and effectively. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to inform members of staff.
What is bullying?
Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person either physically or emotionally, by intimidating or demeaning others. It is usually persistent and is often covert, and is a conscious attempt to hurt, threaten or frighten someone. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.
Bullying can be, but not limited to:
- Emotional: Derogatory name calling of an insulting and/or personal nature. Demanding money, material goods or favours by means of threat or force.
- Physical: Pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence because of some perceived physical, economic, sexual, intellectual, cultural or racial difference.
- Racist: racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
- Sexual: Unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
- Homophobic: because of, or focussing on the issue of sexuality. Homophobic, biphobic and transphobic (HBT) bullying is unacceptable
- Verbal: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing, abuse and threats. Ridiculing an individual.
- Cyber: All areas of internet, such as email & internet chat room misuse. Mobile threats by text messaging & calls. Misuse of associated technology, i.e. camera & video facilities
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. Students who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.
Objectives of this Policy
- All governors, teaching and non-teaching staff, students and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is.
- All governors and teaching and non-teaching staff should know what the school’s policy is on bullying and follow it when bullying is reported.
- All students and parents should know what the school’s policy is on bullying and what they should do if bullying arises.
- As a school we take bullying seriously. Students and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
- Bullying will not be tolerated in any of our academies.
Staff Responsibilities
- To implement procedures to confront bullying of any form
- To listen to all parties involved in incidents
- To investigate incidents promptly and as fully as possible
- To take appropriate action and to refer to Children’s Champions / SLT as appropriate
- To share with parents of the victim and bully, incidents of serious and /or persistent bullying
- To promote the use of a range of learning styles and strategies which challenge bullying behaviour
- To promote open management styles which facilitate communication and consultation within school and relevant agencies when appropriate
- To promote the use of interventions which are least intrusive and most effective.
Signs and Symptoms
A student may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. All adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a student:
- is frightened of walking to or from their school
- doesn't want to go into vulnerable areas of the school i.e. toilets, library, dinner hall
- is unwilling to go to school
- becomes withdrawn, anxious, or lacking
- changes in behaviours
These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.
