Anti Bullying Policy

 

Bellenden Primary School 

Policy for

Anti Bullying

Reviewed July 2017

ANTI BULLYING POLICY 

At Bellenden Primary School we place great emphasis on your child’s personal and social development which is fundamental aspect of the education of the whole child.

We aim to promote the awareness of the needs of others; the values in society and for your child to take increasing responsibility for his/her own life. In achieving these aims children will be required to increase their knowledge and understanding about themselves, others, their immediate environment and the world in which they live.

We feel we are very much a community at Bellenden, a community which includes teaching and support staff, pupils, parents and governors. As a community we reflect many values held in society, the school and the home. We believe there is also a considerable degree of consensus on social and moral values such as honesty, liberty, justice, fairness and respect for others. We feel it is important to promote these values through creating a warm, caring supportive atmosphere in the school in which all members of the school community know they are valued.

Incidents of bullying can occur in school and they are treated seriously and as a matter of urgency. Because beating bullying is a crucial element in achieving and promoting the above values. 

Definition of Bullying 

Bullying can be described as being “a deliberate act done to cause distress solely in order to give a feeling of power, status or other gratification to the bully.”

It can range from ostracising, name-calling, teasing, threats and extortion, through to physical assault on persons and/or their property. It can be an unresolved single frightening incident which casts a shadow over a child’s life, or a series of such incidents.’  This includes Sexual innuendo.

It can include incidents away from the school premises which are school related, but it excludes injury through accident. It is recognised that some bullying might be through individual incidents of a relatively minor nature but which assume a greater significance when viewed in context, perhaps through their frequency or reason.

At Bellenden Primary School staff, parents and children work together to create a happy, caring, learning environment. Bullying, either verbal, physical or indirect will not be tolerated. It is everyone’s responsibility to aim to prevent occurrences of bullying and to deal with any incidents quickly and effectively…

Consequently, the governors have approved this policy.

Bullying can be brought to the attention of staff either by the victim(s), their friend(s), their parent(s) or other interested people. 

It is important to recognise that bullying occurs in many forms, child-child, child-adult, adult-child and adult-adult. 

Strategy for dealing with bullying

The following is a list of actions available to staff depending on the perceived seriousness of the situation. The emphasis is always on a caring, listening approach as bullies are often victims too – that is why they bully.

  • Discussions at length with the victim. This will require patience and understanding. Remember – Listen, believe, act
  • Identify the bully/bullies. Obtain witnesses if possible. Advise the Headteacher
  • Discussions with the bully. Confront them with the details and ask them to tell the truth about the situation/incident. Make it clear that bullying is not acceptable at Bellenden Primary School
  • If they own up then follow the procedure outlined below and in the Behaviour Policy
  • If they do not own up, investigate further. If it is clear that they are lying, continue with the procedure. Children usually own up if presented with all the facts
  • Separate discussions with parents of bully and victim
  • Sanctions for the bully may include withdrawal from favoured activities, loss of playtimes, exclusion from school during lunchtimes, exclusion from school, depending on the perceived severity of the incident(s)
  • Continue monitoring the situation by observing at playtimes/lunchtimes and having discussions with victim to ensure no repetition
  • As the behaviour of the bully (hopefully) improves, then favoured activities etc can be reinstated, and the child should be praised for good behaviour. This will rebuild the child’s self-esteem, which may have been damaged after being caught bullying, or could have been low anyway, hence the bullying

In order to identify incidents of bullying and the identities of bullies, at Bellenden Primary School we have agreed to carry out the following strategies:

  • All staff watch for early signs of distress in pupils
  • All staff listen, believe, act
  • Playground Friends are there as a child’s first contact point, if they feel they cannot tell an adult. There are 6 in all. These are children in Years 6 and 5 respectively
  • Bully boxes in school where children can put written notes if they feel they cannot speak about their problem
  • Posters in school advertising these measures and dissuading children from bullying
  • A racist and bullying incident book is kept
  • Staff – It is the duty of all staff to identify and report incidents of bullying. The Learning Mentors keep a record.
  • Incidents of staff bullying other staff should be reported to the Head. Staff bullying children will be reported to the head. Refer to Staff Relationship Policy and Staff Code of Conduct.