t. John’s C of E Primary School

Anti-bullying Policy

Introduction

Bullying is action taken by one or more children with the deliberate intention of hurting another child, be itverbally, physically or emotionally over a period of time. We explain this to children via the STOP acronym (Several Times On Purpose).

Aims and objectives

At St. John’s we share the same belief that bullying is unacceptable and can damage children’s individual and educational needs. We therefore do all we can to prevent it, by developing a school ethos in which bullying is not tolerated under any circumstances. This is underpinned by our Mission Statement:

“At St John’s we all work together to live by our inclusive Christian values. Everyone in our school family is encouraged to reach their full potential.”

As a school we celebrate the endeavours and achievements of all and we aim to produce a safe and secure environment where all can learn without worry.This policy aims to produce a consistent school response to any bullying incidents that may occur.We aim to make all those connected with the school aware of our opposition to bullying, and we make clear each person’s responsibilities with regard to the eradication of bullying in our school.

Definition of Bullying

‘Behaviour by an individual or group usually repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group either verbally, physically or emotionally’. Safe to Learn: embedding anti bullying work in schools (2007).

How does bullying differ from teasing/falling out between friends or other types of aggressive behaviour?

1) There is a deliberate intention to hurt or humiliate

2) There is a power imbalance that makes it hard for the victim to defend themselves

3) It is usually persistent

Occasionally an incident may be deemed to be bullying even if the behaviour has not been repeated or persistent - if it fulfils all other descriptions of bullying. This possibility should be considered, particularly in cases of sexual, sexist, racist or homophobic bullying and when children with disabilities are involved. If the victim might be in danger then intervention is urgently required.

What does bullying look like?

Bullying can include:

  • name calling
  • taunting
  • mocking
  • making offensive comments
  • physical assault
  • taking or damaging belongings
  • cyber bullying - inappropriate text messaging and e mailing; sending offensive or degrading images
  • producing offensive graffiti
  • gossiping and spreading hurtful and untruthful rumours
  • excluding people from groups

Although bullying can occur between individuals it can often take place in the presence (virtually or physically) of others who become the ‘bystanders’ or ‘accessories’.

Why are children and young people bullied?

Specific types of bullying include:

  • bullying related to race, religion or culture
  • bullying related to special educational needs or disability
  • bullying related to appearance or health
  • bullying relating to sexual orientation – homophobia/not fitting in with gender stereotypes
  • bullying of young carers or looked after children or otherwise related to home circumstances
  • sexist or sexual bullying

There is no hierarchy of bullying - all forms should be taken equally seriously and dealt with appropriately.

Bullying can take place between:

  • young people
  • young people and staff
  • between staff
  • individuals or groups

Certain groups of pupils are known to be particularly vulnerable to bullying by other, these may include:

  • pupils with special educational needs such as learning or physical disabilities
  • young carers
  • looked after children
  • those from ethnic and racial minority groups
  • young people who may be perceived as lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender or questioning their gender role

Reporting and responding to bullying

Pupils who are being bullied may show changes in behaviour, such as becoming shy and nervous, feigning illness, taking unusual absences or clinging to adults. There may be evidence of changes in work patterns, lacking concentration or truanting from school. Pupils are always encouraged to report bullying in schools.

School’s teaching and support staff must be alert to the signs of bullying and act promptly and firmly against it in accordance with school policy. Clear procedures exist to prevent bullying among pupils and these are regularly discussed and reviewed.

The following steps should be taken when dealing with incidents:

1)If bullying is suspected or reported, the incident will be dealt with immediatelyby the member of staff who has been approached

2)Aclear account of the incident will be recorded and given to the head teacher

3)The head teacher will interview all concerned and will record the incident on the school’s bullying log sheets

4)Parents of both parties will be kept informed throughout the process

5)Sanctions will be used as appropriate and in consultation will all parties concerned.

6)Class teachers and head teacher will regularly liaise to ensure that no further incidents of bullying has taken place

Pupils who have been bullied will be supported by:

Offering an immediate opportunity to discuss the experience with a teacher or other member of staff of their choice

Reassuring the pupil

Offering continuous support

Restoring self-esteem and confidence

Pupils who have bullied will be helped by:

discussing what happened

discovering why the pupil became involved

establishing the wrong doing and need to change

informing parents or guardians to help change the attitude of the pupil

The following disciplinary steps can be taken:

official warnings to cease offending

detention during playtimes and lunchtimes

exclusion from certain areas of school premises

minor fixed-term exclusion

major fixed-term exclusion

permanent exclusion

Within the curriculum the school will raise the awareness of the nature of bullying through inclusion in PSHE, circle time, assemblies and subject areas, as appropriate, in an attempt to eradicate such behaviour.

The role of governors

The governing body supports the headteacher in all attempts to eliminate bullying from our school. This policy statement makes it very clear that the governing body does not allow bullying to take place in our school, and that any incidents of bullying that do occur are taken very seriously and dealt with appropriately.

The governing body monitors the incidents of bullying that occur, and reviews the effectiveness of the school policy regularly. The governors require the headteacher to keep accurate records of all incidents of bullying and to report to the governors on request about the effectiveness of school anti-bullying strategies.

The governing body responds within ten days to any request from a parent to investigate incidents of bullying. In all cases, the governing body notifies the headteacher and asks him/her to conduct an investigation into the case and to report back to a representative of the governing body.

The role of the headteacher

It is the responsibility of the headteacher to implement the school anti-bullying strategy and to ensure that all staff (both teaching and non-teaching) are aware of the school policy and know how to deal with incidents of bullying. The Headteacher reports to the governing body about the effectiveness of the anti-bullying policy on request.

The Headteacher ensures that all children know that bullying is wrong, and that it is unacceptable behaviour in this school. The headteacher draws the attention of children to this fact at suitable moments. For example, if an incident occurs, the headteacher may decide to use assembly/circle time as a forum in which to discuss with other children why this behaviour was wrong, and why a pupil is being punished.

The Headteacher sets the school climate of openness, mutual support and praise for success, so making bullying less likely. When children feel they are important and belong to a friendly and welcoming school, bullying is far less likely to be part of their behaviour.

The Headteacher ensures that all staff receive sufficient training to be equipped to deal with all incidents of bullying.

The Headteacher will personally liaise with pupils, parents and carers who have made an allegation of bullying and will ensure that they are regularly updated on the case.

The role of the school staff

Staff in our school take all forms of bullying seriously, and intervene to prevent incidents from taking place. They keep their own records of all incidents that happen in their class (Behaviour Files), which are checked by their team leader every Friday.

If staff witness an act of bullying, they do all they can to support the child who is being bullied. If a child is being bullied, then, after consultation with the headteacher, the teacher informs the child’s parents.

We keep an Incident Book in the Head’s room where we record all incidents of bullying that occur outside lesson time, either near the school or on the children’s way home or to school. If any adult witnesses an act of bullying, they should record the event in the incident book.

If, as professionals, we become aware of any bullying taking place between members of a class, we deal with the issue immediately. This may involve counselling and support for the victim of the bullying, and punishment for the child who has carried out the bullying. We spend time talking to the child who has bullied: we explain why the action of the child was wrong, and we endeavour to help the child change their behaviour in future. If a child is repeatedly involved in bullying other children, we inform the headteacher and the special needs co-ordinator. We then invite the child’s parents into the school to discuss the situation. In more extreme cases, for example where these initial discussions have proven ineffective, the headteacher may contact external support agencies such as Behaviour Support.

Staff routinely attend training thatenables them to become equipped to deal with incidents of bullying and behaviour management. Teachers attempt to support all children in their class and to establish a climate of trust and respect for all by praising, rewarding and celebrating the success of allchildren under the banners, “All Different, All Equal” and “Respect”.

Where appropriate, within our school curriculum we discuss how we expect to be treated and how we treat others (RE/PHSCE/Circle Time/Collective Worship).

The role of parents

Parents who are concerned that their child might be being bullied, or who suspect that their child may be the perpetrator of bullying, should contact their child’s class teacher immediately.

We have a ‘What to do if you think your child is being bullied’ leaflet available on the website and from the school office.

Parents have a responsibility to support the school’s anti-bullying policy and to actively encourage their child to be a positive member of the school.

Monitoring and review

This policy is monitored on a day-to-day basis by the headteacher, who reports to governors about the effectiveness of the policy on request.

This anti-bullying policy is the governors’ responsibility and they review its effectiveness annually. They do this by examining the school’s incident book, and by discussion with the headteacher. Governors analyse information with regard to gender, ethnic background, vulnerability of all children involved in bullying incidents.

Signed:Sally Magill(Headteacher):

Signed: Bob Atkinson(Chair of Governors)

Signed: (Chairperson of the School Council)

Reviewed: June 2016

Adopted by Governors: TBC

Review:June 2018