St Lucy’s PS, LCSC and Nursery Class

Anti-Bullying Draft Policy

February

2018

Rationale

North Lanarkshire Council is committed to providing a safe, supportive environment for all people in its educational establishments.

Here at St Lucy’s we understand that bullying is never acceptable and that all children and young people have the right to learn in a safe and secure environment. Our core values of respect, fairness, dignity and inclusion underpin everything that we strive to do. The ethos of our school fosters high expectations of behaviour and we will consistently challenge behaviour that falls short.

Definition of Bullying Behaviour

Our school policy reflects both local and Scottish Government guidance.

(North Lanarkshire Council Anti-Bullying Policy and Prevention Guidelines, February 2017, A National Approach to Anti-Bullying for Scotland’s Children and Young People 2010)

In Scotland bullying is defined as;

Bullying is both behaviour and the impact; the impact is on a person’s

capacity to feel in control of themselves. This is what we term as their

sense of agency. Bullying takes place in the context of relationships;

it is behaviour that can make people feel hurt, threatened, frightened

and left out. This behaviour happens face to face and online.

(respectme, 2015)

Bullying behaviour is different to the normal fall outs that occur among children and young people. It is the impact that bullying behaviour has that is different. If behaviour results in the exclusion or marginalisation of young people then it can be deemed it be bullying. Such behaviours whether verbal, physical, emotional and psychological in natureare a clear breach of children’s rights. (United Nations Convention on The Rights of The Child)

Some of the grounds for experiencing bullying behaviour can be: race, gender, sexual identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, nationality, religion but also any differences that may not be real but only perceived in the mind of the person displaying the bullying behaviour.

Some personal characteristics are protected by law, to address the years of unfavourable treatment experienced by some groups. The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against people with a “protected characteristic”. While not all of these are applicable in school situations, these are:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Marriage and civil partnership
  • Race
  • Sex
  • Religion or belief
  • Sexual orientation

Bullying behaviour can include:

  • Being called names, teased, put down or threatened
  • Being hit, tripped or kicked
  • Having belongings stolen or damaged
  • Being ignored, left out or having rumours spread about you
  • Receiving abusive text messages or social media messages
  • Being forced to do things against your will
  • Being targeted for who you are or who you are perceived to be

Dealing With Incidents of Bullying Behaviour

As a school we take bullying and its impact seriously. Pupils and parents should be assured that known incidents of bullying in any form will not be tolerated.The school will seek ways to counter the effects ofbullying that may occur within school or in the local community.

Staff As Positive Role Models

All adults are key in modelling positive relationships and providing appropriate responses and support to all children. Where there is cause for concern in a child or adult’s behaviour all staff and visitors have a responsibility to report this to a member of the senior management team.

Expectations and Support for Young People

Within St Lucy’s we strive to create an ethos in which children feel supported and are able to share any concerns with key adults. This is reinforced through school assemblies and class learning in health and well-being.

A high standard of behaviour is expected from all children through the school’s 3Rs values system:

  • Respect for Self
  • Respect for Others
  • Responsibility for Actions

A Range of Strategies to Prevent and Respond to Bullying

In St Lucy’s staff use a range of support and interventions to support children and young people showing bullying behaviour. Such approaches might include:

  • Promoting positive behaviour through a linked staff member/programme of work
  • Restorative practice approaches
  • Involvement of the school’s educational psychologist, social work or other partner agency if appropriate

Reinforcement of the message that bullying is never acceptable will be highlighted through a range of methods:

  • School assemblies
  • Anti-bullying days/weeks
  • Posters and visual reminders

Responding to Parent/Carer Concerns

A member of the senior management team will endeavour to respond to a parent/carer on the day that an allegation of bullying is raised. How the matter is to be investigated and an approximate timescale for updates will be discussed and agreed with the parent/carer. If for any reason this is not adhered to the parent/carer will be informed. At all stages in the process the school will strive to work in partnership with the parent/carer to resolve the matter. Following an investigation it may be necessary to put certain actions/supports in place for both the child experiencing the bullying behaviour as well as the child displaying the bullying behaviour. This will depend on the incident/incidents and the children involved.

Recording and Monitoring of Bullying Behaviour

In accordance with authority guidance all incidents of bullying behaviour and equalities should be recorded on the SEEMIS system.(General Circular 146/16)

Incidents should be reported timeously (within 3 days is considered acceptable). The incident as well as the action taken should be recorded to ensure that procedures and practices have been correctly followed.

Consultation Process

Responses of parents/carers/children.

Evaluation and Review of Policy

This policy will be reviewed and updated as appropriate every 3 years.

Commitment to Staff Training

Where appropriate individual and whole staff training will be organised to support the delivery of this policy.

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