STEP AcademyTrust

Anti-BullyingPolicy

DatePolicyAgreed:Autumn 2017DatePolicyReviewed: Summer 2019

Introduction

TheSTEP AcademyTrustBoard ofTrusteeshasagreed thisPolicyandassuch,itappliestoallAcademieswithintheTrust.

Thispolicyistobe readin conjunctionwiththefollowingpolicies:

  • Safeguarding & ChildProtection;
  • IntimateCare;
  • PositiveHandling;
  • Behaviour;
  • HealthandSafety;
  • Code of Conduct settingout standardsandacceptablebehaviourforstaff;
  • E-SafetyandICT acceptable use;
  • Managingallegations ofabuseagainststaff;
  • RRS;
  • Curriculum;
  • Whistleblowing.
Rationale

As a Trust we recognise that rights and responsibilities are equally balanced and encourage ourchildren to take responsibility for their actions in order to develop an awareness of how they affect therights of others. Children have the right to be protected from conflict and cruelty and they have theresponsibility not to bully or harm each other. Every child has the right to feel safe in our Academies and enjoy their education without the threat of bullying behaviour. Our approach is to build the children’s self- esteem, trust and confidence and for this to be consistent across our Trust. We intend that the policy is clearly understood and shared by all, children, staff and parents.

InSTEP Academies,bullyingofanyindividual, pupil,parentormemberof staff,isunacceptable.Ifbullyingdoesoccur, allpupils shouldbeabletotell andknow thatincidentswillbedealtwithpromptly andeffectively.Weare aTELLING Trust.Thismeansanyonewhoknowsthatbullyingishappeningisexpectedtotellamemberofstaffand anyincident willbedealtwithwhenever it occurs.Thebehaviourandattitude ofourchildren,staffandparents isveryimportant.High standardsofbehaviourand apositiveattitudeleadtoexcellenceinboth relationshipsand standardsofwork.The ethosofeachAcademyisbasedon mutualrespectandcare andconsiderationforothers.OurTrustis totally opposedtobullying.

Bullyingconcernseveryone,notjustthebulliesandthe victims.Itaffectsother pupilswho watch,andpupilscanbedrawninbypeer-grouppressure. InSTEP Academies,nooneshouldhavetoacceptthistypeofbehaviour.AsaTrustweunderstandtheneedtodifferentiatebetweenasingleisolatedactofbullyingandseverelongtermpersistentbullying.

Aimsandobjectivesofthepolicy
  • AllGovernors,Trustees,teachingandnon-teachingstaff,pupils,parentsandcarersshouldhaveanunderstandingofwhat bullying isandshouldknowwhatourTrustpolicy is onbullying.
  • TocreateanAcademy culturewherebullyingisunacceptablebystaff,pupils,parentsandcarers;
  • ToensurethatmembersoftheAcademy communityhavetheconfidenceto‘shoutout’;discloseanddiscussbullyingifitdoesoccur;
  • Todevelopproceduresfor noting,reporting,investigatinganddealingwithincidentsofbullyingandforallstakeholderstohavethisknowledge;
  • Tobe vigilant intermsofbullying that couldtakeplaceoutside of school,ie: usingsocialmedia:WhatsApp.Thisistobedealtwithinthe samewayasitwouldbeifoccurringinour academies.

Whatisbullying?Bullyingiswhensomeonedeliberatelyhurts,threatens,frightensorhumiliatessomeoneelse.Bullyingisrepeatedoveraperiod oftime.Bullyingcanbe:

  • Physical–a childcanbepunched,kicked,hit,spatatetc;
  • Emotional–beingunfriendly,excluding,tormenting(eg:hidingbooks,threateninggestures);
  • Verbal–name-calling,sexistremarks,sarcasm,teasing,spreadingrumoursetc;
  • Intimidation –achildmaybemadetofeelfrightenedoruncomfortablebybehaviourrangingfromovertthreatsto subtle"looks”;
  • Exclusion–achildcanbe bulliedsimplybybeingexcludedfrom games,groups, discussions/activities,withthosetheybelievetobetheirfriends.Grouprejectionisacommonformofbullying;
  • Damagetopropertyortheft–propertydamagedorstolen.Thebullymayusephysicalthreatssothatthepupilhandsoverpropertytothem;
  • Cyber-allareasoftheinternet:textmessaging,WhatsApp,Messenger,e-mailorpostingsonwebsites,internetchatrooms,calls,cameraorvideo,etc;
  • Victimisationbyadults–anyadult intheAcademy couldusetheirsize andstatustovictimise achild.Aparent,for example, whomakesadirectapproachtoachildtochastisehim/herover anallegedincident,couldbe engaged inaform ofbullying;
  • Racial–taunts,graffiti,gestures,etc;
  • Sexual-unwantedphysicalcontactorsexuallyabusivecomments;
  • Homophobic/transgender–focusingontheissueofsexuality/name-calling;
Whatarethecharacteristicsofbulliesandtheirvictims?
Bulliesmaybe:
  • Aggressive
  • Lackinginattention
  • Lonely,unhappyorinsecure
  • Jealousofothers
  • Bullied athomeorspoilte.g.punishedexcessively
  • Cryingout forhelp
  • Underachievingin class
Whatarethesigns/characteristicsthatmightindicateachildisbeingbullied?

Thebelowsignscould indicateotherproblems,butbullyingshouldbe consideredapossibilityandshouldbeinvestigatedifachild:

  • IsfrightenedofwalkingtoorfromourAcademyandbegstobedriven;
  • IsunwillingtogotoourAcademy;
  • Beginstounderachieve;
  • Becomeswithdrawn,startsstammering,lackinginconfidence;
  • Regularlyhasbooksor clothesdamagedordestroyed;
  • Hasunexplained cutsorbruises;
  • Becomesdistressed,stopseating;
  • Crieseasily,hasnightmares;
  • Becomesdisruptive,aggressiveorunreasonable;
  • Has possessions‘gomissing’;
  • Feelsillin themorning;
  • Isnervousorjumpywhenacybermessageisreceived orafraidtousetheinternetor mobilephone.

Staff willbe abletousetheir knowledgeofpupilsto identifychangesinbehaviourthatmight indicatebullying.Pupilsshould be encouragedtobeopenwithparentsandcarerswho shouldpasson theirconcernsto theAcademy(seereporting), or the childshould‘shoutout’toan adult in theAcademy.

Adult bullying: from time to time, adults behave inappropriately towards each other. If any parent ormember of staff feels that they are being treated inappropriately within our Academy community theymust report this to the Head teacher immediately. If the Head Teacher has behaved inappropriately, theyshould contact the Chair of Governors and if substantiated, it would behandled by the Academy’s Whistleblowing Procedure.

Ifchildrenareexperiencingproblemswithotherchildren,parentsmustnot trytotakemattersintotheirownhands. Parentsconfrontingotherparentsorchildrenintheplayground isnotacceptableandcouldbeviewed as adult bullying.Additionally,usingtheInternettocall childrennames,etccouldalsobeviewed asadultbullying.Weshouldbe informedimmediatelyof anyconcernssowe mayinterveneto resolvetheproblemtoensure ourcommunityremainshappy,safe andenjoyable,whereeveryonewantstobe.

Proceduresfordealingwithbullying

Thefollowingproceduresforreportingbullyinganddealingwiththe consequencesofbullyingshouldbeunderstoodandfollowed byevery memberofour Trust. Childrenshouldnotbetoldto“hitback.”

1.Reportbullyingincidentstostaff.

2.Inall casesofbullying,the incidentswillbeinvestigatedandrecorded bystaffonthe ‘BullyingIncidentForm’.It willthenbefollowed up andrecorded,to ensurebehaviourhasstopped(Appendix2). Atalltimes,amemberofthe SLT shouldbeconsulted.

3.SeriouscasesofbullyingwillbereferredimmediatelytotheHeadTeacherordesignatedSeniorLeader.

4.Parentswillbe informedand willbeaskedto come intoameetingtodiscusstheproblemandsupporttheirchild.Theremaybefollowupmeetings,wherenecessary.

5.Ifnecessaryandappropriate,police willbeconsulted.

6.Thebullyingbehaviouror threatsofbullyingmust be investigatedandthebullyingstoppedquickly.

7.Boththevictimandbullywillbesupported.Thevictimwillreceivesupportin ordertodealwiththeirfeelingsandthebullyinordertochangetheirbehaviourandpreventfurtherincidentsoccurring.

8.Incidentsofbullyingwillbe recorded on atermlybasis(see Appendix2)bytheHeadTeacherandwillbe reported eachtermtothe SGBintheHeadTeacher’s Report.

Whenanalysingincidentsofbullying,staffwillseekanswerstoquestionsof: what,where,when,whoandwhy.Ifagroupisinvolved,eachmember willbespokento separately.Otherpupilsmayalso bespoken toinordertogetaclearerpicture.Written recordswillbekeptofthesediscussionsandgiventotheHeadteacherordesignatedsenior leaderwhowillfilethem intheAnti-BullyingFolder.Itmayalsobeappropriateforpupilstowrite down theirown accounts.

Proceduresfor dealingwith cyberbullying:ifabullyingincidentoccursusingemail ormobilephonetechnologyeitherinsideoroutsideofAcademytime,thefollowingprocedureswillbefollowed:

  • Advisethechildnottorespond tothemessage;
  • Secureandpreserveanyevidence;
  • Informthesender’se-mail serviceprovider;
  • Notifyparentsofthechildreninvolved;
  • ConsiderdeliveringaparentworkshopfortheAcademycommunity;
  • Considerinformingthepolice dependingontheseverityor repetitiousnature ofoffence;
  • InformtheHeadteacher/DeputyHead/AssistantHeadTeacher.

If malicious or threatening comments are posted on the internet about a pupil or memberof staff, the following procedures will apply:

  • Removethecommentsorinformandrequestthecomments beremoved ifsiteisadministeredexternally;
  • Secureandpreserveanyevidence;
  • Notifyparents/carersofthechildreninvolved;
  • Endeavourtotracetheoriginand informpolice,asappropriate;
  • Ifitisaparent,arrange ameetingandinformpolice, asappropriate;
  • InformtheHeadteacher.

TheAcademyraisesawarenessofissuesrelatingtocyberbullyingin manyways:onourwebsites,publicisingproceduresin newsletters,TwitteraccountsandParentWorkshopsasrequired.

Theno-blameapproach:the keytotacklingbullyingistrust,thebulliedchildshouldfeelsafewhileworkingwiththechildwhoisbullyingtomanagethesituationandrecognisewhenmoreradicalactionneedstobe taken.Developingthisleveloftrustnotonlyhelpsintacklingindividualcasesbutensuresthatchildren andtheirfamiliesbelievethatbullying will bedealt withproperly.Thebulliedchildshouldbeencouragedtodescribewhathastaken placeand howtheyfeel inprivatetothe adult who will take on therole of facilitator. Thefacilitator shouldbesympatheticandlistencarefullytothechild’sstory,promptingthechildtotelltheirstoryshouldbe conductedthroughopenendedquestioning;avoidingputtingwords in thechild’s mouth orassumingtheoutcome.Thefacilitatorshouldthenexplainwhataction willbetakenandreassurethebullied childthat s/hewillsupportthe childthroughouttheprocess.

Boththebullyandthe bulliedshouldbeinvitedto attend ameetingwiththefacilitator.Thefacilitator willstatethatoneofthechildrenpresent isfeelingthats/he isbeingbulliedand isthereanythingthebully candoto help? Itisessentialthe meetingisconductedinacalmenvironmentand allpresentarelistening.Pupilsshouldbegiven the opportunitytotaketurns toexplainwhathashappened. The victimshouldbeencouragedtodescribethebehaviourandthefeelingss/hehasexperienced.Thebullythenhas anopportunitytoidentifythereasonsforhis/herbehaviourandactionsthatcan becarried outtoimprovethesituation.

Thefacilitatorwillidentifywiththechildreninvolvedanagreementidentifyingstrategiestopreventfurtherincidents. It should beagreedbetweenallpartiespresenthowthesituationwillbemonitoredeither dailyorweeklye.g.reporttothe facilitatoreach dayafter lunchtimeplay. Thebullyand victimwillmeet withthefacilitatortomonitorthesituationuntilsuchtimetheyconsider:

  • thevictim isnolongerbeingbullied;
  • thebullyisno longerbullying;

In addition,the facilitatorwillidentify anddiscusswiththevictim:

  • strategiesfor seekinghelp shouldithappen againthesemayinclude:tellingatrusted adultor aclassmatewho they knowwillhelpthemtoreportit.

Parentsshould beinformedofthe academy’s actionsby appointmentto inform themwhat hasbeendoneandfuturearrangements.

Consequences: the bully will offer an apology and other appropriate consequences may take place, eg:lunchtime reflection. For minor offences, an official warning may be given and consequences of futurebullying made clear. In severe cases, exclusion will be considered. Where possible, pupils will bereconciled.

Whatcanbedonetopreventbullying?
  • Anyonewho knows thatbullyingishappening isencouragedtotellstaffandknowthat incidentswillbedealtwithpromptlyand effectively.
  • Childrenhave aclear understandingoftheir rightsandresponsibilities.
  • Behaviour,care,guidanceandsupport:providedtopromotepersonaldevelopmentandwell-beingbyall staff (particularlythelearningmentor).
  • BullyingWeekandcampaignswillbearegularfeatureofAcademylife.
  • Consistent whole Academy approaches to bullying will be used in assemblies and in citizenship activities, ie: circle time, writing stories, poems or drawing pictures aboutbullying, reading stories, making up role plays, discussions about bullying.
  • Appropriatetrainingwillbeprovidedforstafftohelpthemdealeffectivelywithbullying.
  • Childrenaremade awareofthe strategiestodealwith lowlevelissuesand whattodo in differentsituationsincludingsituationsofcyberbullying(Appendix1).
  • Goodqualityrolemodels (eg:PupilAdvocates,SchoolCouncillors,Headsof School).
  • Adult modellingof appropriateresponseto a wide rangeof scenarios.
  • Adultsto dealwith asituation,even ifminor.Talkingtochildren mayprevent asituationescalating.
  • Allstaff,childrenandparents/carershaveagoodknowledge oftheprocedures/policy.Eg:bullyingisarepeatingaction.

Rolesand Responsibilities(seeAppendix1: shareonthewebsiteandwithallchildren)

AlladultmembersoftheAcademycommunity(governors,staff,parents,carersandvisitors)should:

  • Showrespecttoeverypersonwithinour Trust and avoid sayingordoinganythingwhichwillcausehurtoroffence toothers;
  • Reportall incidentsofbullying;
  • Offersupportto anyonethey seebeingbullied;
Pupilsshould:
  • Treatothersastheywouldliketobetreated;
  • ‘Shout out’:tell anadult if they seeanyonebeingbullied;
  • Help and supporttheirpeersiftheyseethembeingbullied.
Allstaffshould:
  • Showbyexamplethattheyarecommittedtostoppingbullyingintheir Academy;
  • Create an atmosphereoftrustandrespectwherepupilsfeeltheirconcernsaretaken seriously;
  • Be vigilantand take action ifanychangesinachild areseen,to eliminatethe causeofbullying;
  • Listentocomplaintsandconcernsaboutbullyingandtake appropriateaction;
  • Makesurethatthosewho havebeenbulliedareinformedaboutwhatactionhasbeentaken;
  • Developanduse awiderange ofapproaches when takingactionagainstbullying.
Allteachersshould:
  • Be responsiblefortherecordingofallincidentsof bullyingthathappen intheirclass(or askanadultinvolvedtodothis).Thisincludesfirstmeetingswithparentsthatarenot potentiallybullyingsituations(butmaybecomebullying ifthereisarepeat)andmeetingswherethereisevidenceofbullying.Staffshould fillinAppendix 2.
  • Informthechild’sparentsandtheHeadteacher.
Allparentsshould:
  • ExpecttheAcademytotakebullyingseriously;
  • SupporttheAcademy initspolicyagainstbullyingbydiscussing thepolicy with theirchild;
  • ContacttheAcademy(initiallyclassteacher)withconcerns iftheirchild isbeingbullied.Allconcernswillbetakenseriously,appropriateactionwillfollow;
  • SupporttheAcademy initsactionsagainstthosewho bully;
  • Playanactivepartintheirchild'seducation.Askthemhowtheirdayhasgone, whotheyhavespenttheirtimewith andhowlunchtimewasspent;
  • Notadvisetheirchildto"retaliate in kind"or“hitback”.Itusuallymakesmattersworse;
  • Explaintotheir childthatallSTEP Academiesare"telling"Academiesinwhichspeakingoutagainstbullyingshouldnotbeseen asaweakness;
  • MonitoragerestrictionsonTV,DVDsandcomputergamestheirchildwatches/playsandtheirchild’saccessto theInternet.Considerwhenand ifitisappropriatefor theirchildto usetheInternetunsupervised,includingsocial mediaandWhatsApp,etc.
TheStrategicGoverningBodyshould:
  • Supportthe Headteacher inallattemptstoeliminatebullying;
  • Notcondoneanybullying atallandanyincidentsofbullyingthat do occuraretakenveryseriously,anddealtwith appropriately.
  • Monitorincidentsofbullyingthatdooccur,andreviewstheeffectivenessofthispolicyregularly.
  • RequiretheHeadteacher tokeepaccuraterecordsofallincidentsofbullying,andtoreporttotheSGBabouttheeffectivenessof the STEPAnti-BullyingPolicyin theirAcademy.(Appendix2and3).
TheHeadteachershould:
  • Implementthe AcademyAnti-BullyingPolicyandensurethatallstaff(bothteachingandnon-teaching)are awareofitandknow howtoidentify anddealwithincidentsofbullying.
  • ReporttotheSGBabouttheeffectivenessofthe Anti-BullyingPolicyineachHeadTeacher report.
  • Ensurethatall children know thatbullyingisunacceptablebehaviour.
  • Ensurethatallstaff,includingmiddaysupervisors,receivesufficienttrainingtobe equippedtoidentifyanddeal with allincidentsofbullying.
  • LeadtheAcademyinmakingourvisionareality,whereallmembersofthelearningcommunitynurture,value,respectandcareforeachother.
Complaintprocedures

If aparent/carerisdissatisfiedwiththewaytheAcademy hasdealtwith abullyingincident,theyshouldfollowtheAcademy’scomplaintsprocedurebyinitiallycontactingtheclassteacher.Ifthe concernremains,theyshouldcontacttheDeputyHead/AssistantHeadTeacher.Iftheyarestillconcerned,theyshouldcontacttheHeadTeacherandfinally,iftheconcernhasnotbeen rectified,theyshould contact theChairoftheStrategic GoverningBodyviatheAcademyoffice.

Monitoring

Theeffectivenessofthispolicywillbemonitoredbysenior staffinavarietyof ways, includinganalysingtherecordedincidentsof bullyingandtalkingto thechildren.The ‘Monitoring Incidents’form(Appendix3) willbe reportedtotheSGBduringevery Head Teacher’s report.

HelpOrganisations:

ChildLine:08001111;

Kidscape:0207 730 3300 (

Family Lives: 08088002222;

YouthAccess:02087729900;

BullyingOnline:

DfEDocuments:

Preventing and Tackling Bullying – Advice for Headteachers, Staff and Governing Bodies (July 2017)

Cyberbullying – Advice for Headteachers and School Staff (2014)

AdviceforParentsandCarersonCyberbullying(2014);

STEPAcademyTrust

SummaryofSTEP’sAntiBullyingPolicyforchildren

WewantourAcademiestobeasafeenvironmentwhereeveryonefeelsconfidentthattheywillbeprotectedfrombullyinginallitsforms.

STEPAcademyTrustAppendix2

BullyingIncidentReportForm

By
(thepersonresponsiblefor) / Pupil/Outsideperson
Ethnicity / Gender / YearGroup
Against
(thevictim) / Pupil/Outsideperson
Ethnicity / Gender / YearGroup

Nature oftheIncident(Please tickand/oradddetails)

Physicalassault / Namecalling / Graffiti/defacingproperty / Offensivewriting
Incitementofothers / Cyberbullying / Homophobic / Transphobic
Other

Briefdescriptionoftheincident

Actiontaken(bywhom)

ParentsofvictimcontactedYes/NoParentsofperpetratorcontactedYes/NoSLTbeenalertedYes/No

Name: / Position:
Date:

Hasthebullyingstopped?

Furtheractiontobetaken:Anyfurthercomments:

FollowUp

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STEP AcademyTrustAppendix3

Monitoringofincidentsofbullying

Term:AcademicYear:Academy:

Date:Noincidentsofbullyingrecorded:

By(personresponsiblefor) / Against(Victim) / TypeofIncidentReported / FollowUp
DateofIncident / EthnicityCode / YearGroup / Gender / EthnicityCode / YearGroup / Gender / Physical / Emotional / Verbal / Intimidation / Exclusion / Damagetoproperty/theft / Cyber / Racial / SexualHomophobic,trans-gender,etc / Has thebullyingstopped?When?

DidanyoftheseoccuroutsidetheAcademypremises?YES/NOIfyes,howmany?

Pleaseretain copyforAcademyrecords.

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