Anti-Bullying Policy
Statement of Intent
We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our pupils including those in the EYFS so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our school. If bullying does occur, all pupils 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 a member of staff.
Bullying issues will be included as part of the School’s PHSE programme, as part of the assemblies and during Drama lessons. Pupils’ play time will be supervised by members of staff according to a published rota, particularly in places or at times when bullying is more likely to take place. This policy is available to parents and pupils, including boarders, on our web site. We make it known to all staff including junior and recently appointed staff.
Objectives of this Policy
- All governors, teaching and non-teaching staff, pupils and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is. Training will be periodically undertaken as part of the schools INSET programme.
- 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.
Definition of bullying:
Although the UK currently has no legal definition of bullying it can be seen as persistent unwelcome behaviour, mostly using unwarranted or invalid criticism, nit-picking, fault-finding, also exclusion, isolation, being singled out and treated differently, being shouted at or humiliated.
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 focusing on the issue of sexuality
- Verbal: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumors, teasing
- Cyber: All areas of internet, such as email and internet chat room misuse Mobile threats by text messaging and calls Misuse of associated technology , i.e. camera and video facilities
- Focused on disability including SEN: Children with SEN and disabilities may be adversely affected by negative attitudes to disability and perceptions of difference
- Religious or Cultural: because of different beliefs or backgrounds
- Institutional: ‘initiation ceremonies’ intended to cause pain, anxiety or humiliation
“It is not bullying when two people of about the same strength have the odd fight or quarrel."
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.
If not dealt with bullying will lead to one or more of the following:
- lack of self confidence
- fear
- failure to concentrate on school work
- absence from school .. or worse
- the victim becoming a bully to those younger or weaker
- Life-long psychological damage
Recording of incidents:
The tutor records in a "Bullying Incident" book, any cases which have been brought to their attention. A member of the Senior Management Team should then inspect this book at regular intervals so that persistent bullies or "likely" victims can be identified.
Teacher reports back to person who told of bullying and let them know that it is being dealt with.
Bullying can be perpetrated by:
pupils, teachers, non teaching staff and parents.
Potential victims are:
pupils, teachers, non-teaching staff and parents.
To combat bullying:
- It is important that the college as a whole exudes a friendly, non-confrontational atmosphere. Adults must set the example by remembering that whether they are talking to other adults or to children, they do so with respect for that other party thereby showing the right way to speak even if one happens to be angry. Regular staff training will be given.
- Victims coming to adults for help must be believed, protected and taught strategies to protect themselves.
Pupils finding themselves victims of bullying ought to:
- try any strategies known by them to protect themselves
- tell someone they trust: this could be the form tutor, friend, member of the senior year or a parent. Pupils may call CHILDLINE on 0800 11 11 or www.childline.org.uk
Who assists the victim:
Initially the person of the victim's choice.
Who deals with the bully:
When an incident is reported to a member of staff they pass the information on to the form tutor of the bully. The form tutor will then deal with the incident, follow up and complete the report in the Bullying Incident book. The Bullying Incident book will be regularly monitored by a member of the SMLT to see if patterns are emerging.
When the form tutor is unable to resolve the issue then a member of the SMLT will need to be involved. This will normally be the Assistant Head in the first instance. Support will always be given to the victim and to the bully, who will be helped to modify their behaviour to an acceptable level.
Parents who learn of a bullying problem in the evening and feel that they need to inform the school immediately can telephone the Boarding House Parents who will ask the form teacher to contact the parent at their earliest convenience the following day. It is stressed that the Boarding House Parents are merely acting as a go-between and can under no circumstances deal with any matter concerning the day school.
When bullying issues are not able to be resolved via normal process then the schools behaviour and discipline policy will be invoked, including the use of sanctions. Exclusion may be necessary in cases of severe and persistent bullying.
Dealing with bullies
The college has agreed to adopt the Anatol Pikas "No Blame" approach.
An example dialogue:
Teacher: I hear Robin has been having a hard time recently
Student: I Don't know anything about it (pause)
Teacher: Robin has been rather upset recently
Student: What, do you mean Robin in Yr?
Teacher: Robin has been rather upset recently
Student: Well he was crying, yes. I suppose so but he asked for it
Teacher: I'm glad you agree that Robin was upset, I wondered if you could do anything to help the situation.
Student: What me?
Teacher: Yes, I was wondering if you could help the situation?
Student: What, you mean do something?
Teacher: Yes - help the situation?
Student: Well, I suppose he could play with us or join our group sometimes
Teacher: Excellent - try that for a week and I'll see you again on Monday Afternoon
This Stoke College Policy was upgraded in September 2007 making reference to the Kidscape sample policy to be found on their website.
