St. Bridget’s Catholic Primary School

Mission Statement

As a family, we learn, support and care for one another in God’s love.

We reach for the stars.

May your life in this world be a happy one.

Anti-Bullying Policy

Ratified by Governors of the Curriculum & SDP Committee

Date 2/02/2015

Reviewed date
Amended date

What is Bullying?

Bullying is a purposeful and repeated action conducted by an individual or a group.

Bullying can take different forms including;

  • Verbal bullying – name calling in any form, ie name calling using insulting words including those based on race, skin colour, gender, age, sexual orientation; children from different backgrounds – travellers; looked-after children; children from different religions, cultures or countries; special needs or any disabilities, including learning and physical disability and the use of threatening language. Everyone is equal in God’s eyes
  • Physical bullying – hitting, kicking, grabbing, spitting, theft and deliberate hiding of possessions or any threatening or intimidating behaviour to another person
  • Demeaning language including homophobic language
  • No mimicking or making fun of someone’s physical or learning disability
  • Psychological bullying – excluding individual from a group
  • Cyber bullying – abusive and threatening messages/e-mails/photographs/calls and deliberate unwanted passing on of personal information or photographs.
  • Hacking into people’s personal accounts/information
  • Written or drawn bullying including graffiti
  • Family issues leading to adult family members becoming involved

Aims

  • All children and adults at St Bridget’s understand what bullying is.
  • All children and adults at St Bridget’s should feel safe and be safe and secure.
  • Stop all forms of bullying at St Bridget’s.
  • All children to be polite honest and respect one another.

Principles

  • Pupils, parents and staff are encouraged to talk about the issue of bullying.
  • Anti-bullying as part of the curriculum therefore a greater awareness and understanding.
  • All allegations will be investigated by appropriate member of staff.
  • Staff and children will be aware of strategies of dealing with bullying.

Strategies

  • PSHCE/SEAL Curriculum- raising awareness and understanding,
  • Circle time fostering a ‘talking’ approach within school
  • Anti-bullying week – this week allows for the whole school to focus on the issue of bullying, and for pupils to explore what bullying is and how to tackle it on an age appropriate level. Pupil’s ideas and thoughts are brought to the school council and are shared in writing/reviewing this policy.
  • Peer support – children encouraged to take action if they see someone being bullied and to tell an adult. They are also encouraged to include people in their games with a buddy system in place when necessary. School Council to be vigilant and report to adult.
  • Team building games
  • Displays/posters that promote respect for different groups
  • Fun competitions to raise awareness of Anti-Bullying
  • P4C if possible once a term
  • Staff to act as positive role models for pupils, Learning Mentor to initiate games at playtime when necessary teaching children how to play appropriately and safely.
  • Informal Drop in Support Group(school council anti-bullying surgery) – Once a week children can drop in and discuss any concerns about friendship or bullying matters with each other(without accusation). An adult, possibly a member of the SEAL team, should be present to oversee but not to lead and pass on any real bullying matters or concerns.
  • Play Support and Ideas – Play and Lunchtimes. This could be provided by outside agencies ie Stronger Together, The Peace Centre or Council Play Workers.
  • Add to Anti-bullying literature and resources, to be available all year round.

Response to Bullying

  1. Know who you can talk to;
  2. Class Teacher
  3. Teaching Assistant
  4. Midday assistant
  5. Any other adult in school who is CRB checked
  6. Time given before the end of lunchtime to discuss issues, including any bullying issues with the midday assisstant
  1. Refer to class teacher
  2. Talk to child who is being bullied
  3. Talk to bullying child
  4. Establish the situation and talk through issues
  5. Possibility of early resolution
  1. Situation will be monitored (pupil profile notes)
  1. Appropriate support given to both the child being bullied and the child bullying.
  2. Circle time
  3. Buddy system
  4. Small group work
  5. 1:1 work
  6. May have support from outside agencies e.g. Peace Centre, Active Hope
  7. Friendship group
  1. If situation continues parents of both parties will be invited in;
  2. Discuss support being given
  3. Give clear expectations

(Individual circumstances will determine precise arrangements)

  1. Possible sanctions include;
  2. Loss of playtime – only if necessary and for repeated bullying
  3. Loss of Golden time
  4. Classroom exclusion – Only if really needed
  5. Sent home for lunch and parental supervision
  6. Fixed term exclusion
  7. Not the whole class to be punished for a few children
  8. If necessary police involvement

School Council

November 2014