GLAN AFAN COMPREHENSIVE

SCHOOL

Anti-Bullying Policy

Revised On:

………………………………….

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Mrs. S.E. Handley Mr. R. Haynes

(Headteacher) (Chair of Governors)

Anti-Bullying Policy

Rationale:

At Glan Afan everyone has the right to feel welcome, secure and happy. Glan Afan is committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our pupils that allows them to learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying prevents pupils from taking full advantage of their educational opportunities and leads to an inequality in opportunities. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders in Glan Afan to be vigilant and prevent this happening.

Pupil Trust

Victims of bullying must feel confident to activate the discipline and anti-bullying procedures to end the bullying. All staff respond to pupil concerns and deal with situations promptly.

Bullying

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intent of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim and can be;

  • Emotional
  • Physical
  • Racist
  • Homophobic
  • Verbal
  • Sexual

Pupils who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving and understand the hurt that they cause. Discussion rather than blame allows pupils to open up to new strategies and develop better relationships.

Sign and symptoms of bullying

Possible signs that a pupil is being bullied

  • The pupil is frightened of walking to and from school.
  • The pupil does not want to go on the school bus or public transport.
  • The child changes their usual routine.
  • The pupil becomes a school phobic.
  • The pupil begins truanting.
  • The pupil becomes withdrawn, anxious, or lacking in confidence.
  • The pupil runs away.
  • The pupil starts to suffer from nightmares or develops sleep disorders.
  • The pupil continually feels ill in the mornings.
  • The standard of attainment achieved drops below the students potential.
  • The pupil comes home with clothes torn or books damaged.
  • Pupil possessions go missing.
  • The pupil starts to ask for increasing amounts of money (to pay bullies).
  • The pupil continually has dinner money “lost”.
  • Unexplained cuts or bruises.
  • Child becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable.
  • The pupil starts to bully other children.
  • The pupil gives improbable excuses for any of the above.

Key points to follow when dealing with bullying issues

  • Never assume that bullying does not happen at Glan Afan.
  • Never ignore suspected bullying (always report suspicions to Head of Learning).
  • Avoid premature assumptions.
  • Listen to all accounts.
  • Adopt a problem solving approach.
  • Follow-up repeatedly to check bullying has not resumed.

Dealing with bullying; Strategies

Whole school

Bullying is seen as a whole school issue and the responsibility of all stakeholders to encourage the positive well being of all pupils. The school pastoral referral system forms the support pathway for pupil welfare.

Acceptable and unacceptable behaviour has been clearly outlined in the school planner, behaviour policy and Lisol Behaviour reporting system. Pupil targets and a supportive culture should continue to be nurtured that promotes tolerance, equality, opportunity and acceptance within school community.

Within the curriculum

Bullying issues are discussed as part of the PSE programme and raised for discussion within year assemblies. Whole school assemblies raise wider moral issues and offer guidance to the larger school community. Positive behaviour is rewarded through merit awards and prizes celebrating positive attributes identified be Heads of Learning and teaching staff. Other subject areas also develop themes and concepts linked to bullying and victimisation (Drama, History, English, RE, Geography).

Using the curriculum allows us to:

  • Raise the issue of bullying.
  • Increase understanding for victims, further develop an anti-bulling ethos at Glan Afan.
  • Teach pupils how to productively manage their relationships with others.
  • Continued reinforcement of acceptable behaviour to each other.

Peer mentoring

Three elements of the peer mentoring scheme at Glan Afan give pupils the opportunity to share concerns. Annual training is provided to year 11 pupils from Bullies Out, an anti-bullying charity to provide the necessary skills to engage , listen and support younger pupils through difficult situations.

  • Year 11 Morning reading support to year 7 pupils (school library)
  • Year 11 Peer progress supporters to KS3 (school library)
  • Bullies out peer listeners (Room 14 lunchtime support)

Learning coach

Pupil pastoral reviews and pupil self referral provides opportunities for pupils to share their concerns relating to their welfare.

Support agencies

Where appropriate, referrals will be made to educational specialists and outside agencies to help pupils develop strategies to avoid confrontation.

School council

The school council will review and consider further support that can be added to the school’s procedures through annual review of this policy.

Dealing with bullying.

All pupils have the opportunity to fulfil their educational potential without oppression , humiliation or abuse. Pupil well being is at the heart of meeting pupils educational entitlement.

  • All incidents should be reported to a member of staff or peer mentor.
  • Once bullying incidents have been confirmed, details will be recorded by members of staff and if confirmed the HOL, Form Tutor or SMT will take appropriate action within the Lisol behavioural pathway.
  • Parents will be informed and as a key stakeholder help the school support their son or daughter experiencing bullying issues.
  • If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted.
  • All bullying behaviour will be investigated, necessary intervention implemented and the situation monitored over a period of time by HOL and Form Tutor.
  • Attempts will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour.

Additional guidance available from “Respecting others:Anti-bullying guidance, WAG , circular 23, 2003.

Official Policy of GlanAfanComprehensiveSchool