Kenmont Primary School

Kenmont Primary School

Anti-Bullying Policy

Policy agreed Spring 2016

Next review date for policy – Spring 2018

Kenmont Primary School

Valliere Road

London NW10 6AL

Headteacher: Julie Howarth

Tel no: (020) 8969-4497 Fax no: (020) 8968-0839

E-Mail:

School Website: www.kenmont-primary.uk.org

1.  Mission Statement

We are committed to providing a safe, caring and friendly environment for all of our pupils so that they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable in our school. If bullying does occur, all pupils should be able to tell and know that all 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 the staff.

2.  Definition of Bullying:

·  Bullying can be either direct, either physical or verbal, or indirect, for example being ignored or not spoken to

·  Bullying is the wilful and persistent, conscious desire to hurt, threaten or frighten someone

·  Bullying is behaviour which is unprovoked and can occur over long periods or short periods of time

·  Bullying is a misuse of power, the target is almost always weaker and less powerful than the bully

·  Bullying can be:

o  Emotional- being unfriendly, laughing at, being unhelpful, excluding, tormenting for example hiding books and making threatening gestures

o  Physical- pushing, kicking, hitting, punching, spitting, pulling religious garments or any other use of violence

o  Racist- racial taunts, making fun of a persons colour, religion, background, language, pulling religious garments or jewellery

o  Bullying others because of their special educational needs or disability

o  Sexual- unwanted physical contact, gestures or comments, putting others down or leaving them out because of their gender

o  Homophobic- teasing others or focussing on the issue of their sexuality, using words like ‘that’s Gay’ to describe something negative

o  Verbal- name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours or lies, teasing, shouting at or over people, choosing to not speak to or answer others

o  Cyber- all areas of the internet, such as E-mail and internet chat room and other social networking sites misuse. Mobile threats by messaging or calls. Misuse of any associated technology for example, camera, photograph or video facilities

All Bullying results in pain and distress to the target.

3.  Aims

To raise levels of consciousness and understanding so that:

·  Everyone in the school community feels responsible for dealing with bullying

·  Targets of bullying feel protected and supported

·  Those engaged in bullying are encouraged to change their beliefs about bullying as well as their actual behaviour

·  Everyone is aware of the Anti-Bullying policy and our related Behaviour Policy

·  All of the school community should know what to do if bullying arises

·  Procedures for dealing with incidents will be consistently and fairly applied by all members of the school community

·  At Kenmont we take bullying seriously. Pupils and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported

·  Bullying will not be tolerated

4.  Signs and Symptoms

Some of these signs or behaviours may indicate that further investigation is needed to ascertain whether or not a pupil is being bullied.

A pupil:

·  Is frightened of walking to and from school, when they previously felt that it was safe to do so

·  Becomes withdrawn, anxious or lacking in confidence, cries themselves to sleep or has nightmares

·  Feels ill in the morning and then makes a speedy recovery when they are kept at home

·  Arrives home with clothes torn, damaged or ‘lost’

·  Asks for money or starts to steal money (to pay a bully)

·  Becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable

·  Starts to bully other children or siblings

·  Freezes or is frightened to say what is wrong

·  Is nervous or jumpy when a cyber or text message is received

·  Gives improbable excuses for any of the above

5.  Strategies for the prevention of Bullying and the promotion of Anti-Bullying behaviour

·  We create a positive school ethos through the consistent implementation of our School Behaviour Policy

·  We teach diversity and acceptance of different cultures, religions and lifestyles

·  Our practices are underpinned by the belief that everyone, adults and children alike are entitled to mutual respect, courtesy and consideration within a caring, supportive and safe environment

·  We foster an atmosphere which promotes the development of a positive self image

·  Ensuing that the school’s Anti-Bullying statement is known to pupils and their parents or carers by the distribution of an Anti-Bullying leaflet and a visual display in the school

·  To raise pupils awareness of what bullying is, the different types of bullying and how it can make others feel

·  Pupils are taught strategies which they may find useful in a situation of bullying, some examples of these are: Be a friend, not a bystander – it is unacceptable to watch or have knowledge that bullying is happening without taking any steps to help stop it from happening.

·  Pupils who are bullying are taught a different way of behaving and are encouraged to change their beliefs about bullying

·  We try to find a restorative way the bully or bullies can make amends and re-build the relationship with the target of the bullying where possible

·  All of our staff have a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying

6.  Procedures

Report all Bullying incidents to staff.

The incident is investigated. If it is decided that the incident is not a one-off act of abuse or aggression and is bullying (see 2 the definitions of Bullying) the following procedures within the Behaviour Policy are carried out:

·  The Target is listened to and supported.

·  The Perpetrator is listened to and questioned. They are then requested to stop the Bullying immediately. They are offered support.

·  Any bystanders or witnesses are questioned.

·  All information is logged.

·  The Headteacher is informed.

·  The pupil found to be the perpetrator or pupils in support of or engaging in the Bullying in any way will receive a Level 4 warning; their Parents/Carers are immediately informed by telephone, the call is logged. A letter outlining the incident and points of action to be taken is sent.

·  The situation is monitored.

7.  Prevention and Support through the Curriculum

·  Behaviour Policy

·  School rules

·  Home/School agreement

·  Pupils are encouraged to inform staff of any incidents which they feel may be bullying, these are then investigated. We are a TELLING school

·  Whole school activities are planned during Anti-Bullying week

·  All staff model and promote school values such as respect and co-operative behaviour through PSHE lessons, Mentoring Groups, Circle-Time and Assemblies

·  Small groups are withdrawn to raise awareness of Bullying and support is given

8.  Support for those involved in Bullying situations

Helping pupils who are being bullied –

·  The pupil is told that they have done the right thing and taken the first steps towards improving the situation.

·  The pupil is listened to and encouraged to be aware of the procedures should any child protection issues be disclosed.

·  They are informed that it is not their fault.

·  The target is encouraged and supported to think of strategies to avoid being bullied in the short and long term.

·  Strategies to develop peer support for the pupil commence.

Helping the Bully-

·  It is made clear that is their behaviour that is inappropriate not them.

·  They are helped to consider why they might be bullying and what it might feel like to be bullied.

·  The pupil is asked to consider if anything or anyone is bothering them.

·  We find out ‘what is in it for them’ to bully and think of alternative solutions where they can they gain the same attention or feelings of power from something positive.

·  They are supported to find a restorative way they can make amends and re-build the relationship with the bullied person if possible.

·  Good behaviour is rewarded.

·  Boundaries are set within which the pupil must work.

·  They are made aware that others may encourage them to bully.

9.  Sanctions

a.  Level 4 is issued. Three level fours in a half term lead to an exclusion. Other consequences may additionally take place.

b.  The perpetrator/s will be asked how they think they have made the target feel and how they should make amends. If their idea is plausible and genuine it will be carried out. Examples of this include: apologising, giving a card, or writing the target a letter of apology.

10. Monitoring and Evaluation

a.  All incidents of bullying are recorded.

b.  Incidents of bullying are followed up and monitored.

c.  Regular reports are given to staff, parents and governors.

11. Training

a.  Training for staff is regularly provided.