Newton International School
West Bay
'An international community of learners striving for excellence and celebrating success.
Anti-Bullying Policy
Introduction:
Definition:“Bullying is seen as actions that are meant to be hurtful, and which happen on a regular basis. Bullying can be direct (whether physical or verbal) or indirect (for example, being ignored or not spoken to)”.
Aims and Objectives
Bullying is wrong and damages individual children. We do all we can to prevent it, by developing a school ethos in which bullying is regarded as unacceptable.
We aim to produce a safe and secure environment where all can learn without anxiety, and measures are in place to reduce the likelihood of bullying.
We aim to make all those connected with the school aware of our opposition to bullying, and we make clear each person’s responsibilities regarding the eradication of bullying in our school.
The role of the Principal, Deputy Principal and Senior Management
It is the responsibility of the Principal to implement the school anti-bullying strategy, and to ensure that all staff (both teaching and non-teaching) are aware of the school policy, and know how to identify and deal with incidents of bullying.
The Deputy Principal ensures all children know that bullying is wrong, and that it is unacceptable behaviour in this school. The SMT and MMT of the school draws the attention of children to this fact at suitable moments. For example, if an incident occurs, SMT may decide to use the assembly as a forum in which to discuss with other children why this behaviour was wrong, and why a pupil is being punished. Role plays are another excellent tool for illustrating anti-bullying messages, particularly in the multi-cultural environment that West Bay occupies.
The Principal ensure that all staff receive sufficient training to be equipped to identify and deal with all incidents of bullying.
The Principal and Deputy Principal set the school climate of mutual support and praise for success, so making bullying less likely. When children feel they are important and belong to a friendly and welcoming school, bullying is far less likely to be part of their behaviour.
The Role of the Teacher and Support Staff
All the staff in our school take all forms of bullying seriously, and seek to prevent it from taking place at West Bay.
Teachers are expected at this school to keep class or personal records of all incidents that happen in class, and that they are aware of in school. If teachers witness an act of bullying, they will either investigate it themselves or refer it to Senior Management. Teachers and support staff so all they can to support the child who is being bullied. If a child is being bullied over a period, then after consultation with Senior Management, the teacher informs the child’s parents.
When any bullying takes place between members of a class, the teacher will deal with the issue immediately. This may involve some form of counselling and support for the victim of the bullying, and punishment for the child who has carried out the bullying. Time is spent talking to the child who has bullied: explaining why his/her actions were wrong and that the child is encouraged to change his/her behaviour in future. If a child is repeatedly involved in bullying other children, the Principal or Deputy Principal is informed. The first step the school will follow is for the class teacher and a member of MMT to meet with the parents to discuss the situation. In more extreme cases, for example where class teacher MMT meetings with the family have proved ineffective, the Principal will arrange to meet with the parents.
As part of the school in-service training, staff will be asked to attend training, which equips them to identify bullying and to follow school policy and procedures about Behaviour Management (and in reference to the school policy for BM)
Teachers are expected to use a range of methods to prevent bullying and to establish a climate of trust and respect for all. As previously mentioned assembles, PSHE and Circle time including drama, roleplays, stories etc., within the formal curriculum, help pupils understand the feelings of bullied children, and to practice the restraint required to avid lapsing into bullying behaviour. Class time may be allocated to praise, reward and celebrate the success of all children, and thus to help create a positive atmosphere where bullying will be less likely to occur. The weekly school assemblies conducted by the Principal will also be used to promote positive behaviour including anti-bullying. From time to time the Principal or Deputy Principal may involve the Arabic staff members of the school to speak to the children about bullying issues in Arabic.
The Role of the Parents
Parents, who are concerned that their child might be being bullied, or who suspect that their child may be the perpetrator of bullying, should contact their child’s class teacher immediately. If they are not satisfied with the response, the school has systems in place to allow for the formalizing of a complaint through a number of steps that can eventually reach the Principal.
Parents, as effective stakeholders in West Bay, have a responsibility to support the school’s anti-bullying policy, actively encouraging their child(ren) to be positive members of the school.
The Role of the Pupils
Our pupils are encouraged to tell anybody they trust if they are being bullied, and if the bullying continues, they must keep letting people know.
Pupils are invited to tell the school management if they are aware of bullying occurring within the school.
Monitoring and Review
This policy is monitored on a regular basis by the Deputy Principal, SMT and the Principal. Effectiveness of the policy will always be an element of all Senior Staff Meetings.
This anti-bullying policy is the SMT’s responsibility, and they will review its effectiveness annually. This is done by collating the parent complaints registered by the Parent Affairs Manager, teacher daily notes, incident reports, and classroom teacher records. Of concern for an ESOL school like West Bay with a wide multi-cultural make-up among the pupils, is racist bullying, or bullying directed at children with special educational needs.
This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as required.
Signed:
Date: September 4th, 2016
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