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Aims of Anti Bullying Policy
• To prevent all forms of bullying, including homophobic and cyberbullying.
• To challenge bullying effectively
• To improve the safety and happiness of pupils
• To make it clear that bullying is unacceptable
Objectives
We will meet these aims by
• Implementing an awareness programme which:
- clarifies what bullying is,
- identifies typical behavioural characteristics of the bullied and bullies, and shows how the victim feels
• Giving clear procedures to follow when an alleged incident of bullying occurs
• Providing training to all staff including playground supervisors on how to recognise and deal with bullying and potential incidents
• Reviewing and monitoring the effectiveness of this policy and its procedures
Introduction
‘Bullying is the wilful, conscious desire to hurt, threaten or frighten someone’
Bullying affects everyone, not just the bullies and the victims. It also affects those other children who watch, and less aggressive pupils can be drawn in by group pressure. Bullying is not an inevitable part of school life or a necessary part of growing up, and it must be addressed immediately. It is clear that certain jokes, insults, intimidating or threatening behaviour written abuse and violence are to be found in our society. No one person or group, whether staff or pupil, should have to accept this type of behaviour. Only when all issues of bullying are addressed, will a child be able to fully benefit from the opportunities available to the school.
The DfES guidance ‘Bullying – Don’t Suffer in Silence’ (DSIS) defines bullying as an action by a person that is:
• Deliberately hurtful (including aggression)
• Repeated over a period of time
• Difficult for the victim to defend themselves against
Why is an anti-bulling policy necessary?
Bramley School believes that all its pupils have the right to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment without the fear of being bullied.
All schools, both large and small, contain some pupils with the potential for bullying behaviour. If a school is well disciplined and organised, it can minimise the occurrence of bullying. Bramley also has a clear policy on the promotion of ‘good citizenship’ where it is made clear that bullying is a form of anti-social behaviour which is unkind and wrong, and will not be tolerated.
It is important therefore that we have a clear written policy to promote this belief where both pupils and parents are fully aware that any bullying complaints will be dealt with firmly, fairly and promptly. For this to be effective, it is necessary that all staff are familiar with this policy and that they are alert to the problems which may occur.
Forms of Bullying
The DfES guidance (DSIS) referred to above identifies three main types of bullying:
Bullying can occur through several types of behaviour. It can be:
• Physical: hitting, kicking, taking belongings etc..
• Verbal: name-calling, insults, offensive remarks
• Indirect: spreading nasty stories about someone, exclusion from social groups, being made the subject of malicious rumours, sending malicious emails or text messages on mobile phones.
To these main types we could also add bullying of a non-verbal nature: pulling faces or making unkind gestures that undermine another child’s confidence.
It is essential to understand that bullying can be directed towards the race, gender, or sexual orientation of a child. It may be directed through internet access or via mobile phones. A child’s disability or special learning needs might also be the target of bullying.
Refer to DCSF publications- Homophobic bullying, Cyberbullying and Safe to Learn.
Awareness and advice on how to prevent homophobic and cyberbulling bullying will be given to the girls in year 6 in their Science Health Education lessons.
The following distinctions must be made:
Bossiness: Most children grow out of their bossiness as they become more self- controlled and learn to compromise. The ‘bully’ increasingly relies on threat and force.
Boisterous play: Play becomes bullying when it spoils other children’s activities or when hostility or violence is shown. Too often adults dismiss ‘bullying’ with remarks like “It’ll sort itself out”, “They must learn to look after themselves”. Bullying ranges from horseplay which may ‘go wrong’ to viscous assault (physical or verbal). At the extreme end children have been maimed and even driven to suicide.
What to look out for:
Some children who are being bullied will tell a friend, a teacher their parents or another adult. It is more likely, however, that she will keep it a secret for fear of being picked on even more or of being labelled ‘a tell-tale’.
There are signs which can indicate that a child may be being bullied. She may:
• become depressed or withdrawn and may not want to go out to play
• become aggressive
• get stomach aches or headaches
• become homesick
• display unexplained bruises or scratches etc (this may manifest itself in a reluctance to change for P.E. or swimming)
• display a significant decline in performance or attitude in class
• uniform, kit, books may be found damaged or ‘go missing’.
Who are the bullies?
A child psychologist specialising in bullying identified two main groups of bullies:
‘Some are just spoilt and selfish children who hit out if anyone gets in their way’
These are children who are used to getting their own way and thrive on being the centre of attraction.
‘The bullies themselves are often victims of abuse or neglect. They have been made to feel inadequate and stupid’
When these children perceive the other child is weak, they attack. The sad fact is that the bullies themselves need help to overcome this anti-social behaviour.
Realistic firm guidelines are important in helping bullies to control their anti-social behaviour.
Who are the victims?
Statistics quoted in DfES DSIS show that about 11% of pupils in the 10-14 age group are bullied regularly (at least 2/3 times a month) and that about 30% have been bullied occasionally. Approximately 20% of those bullied also act as bullies.
Some children are ‘one-off’ victims of bullying. They just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Others however seem to be perpetual victims who are bullied no matter where they go. Such treatment can even continue into adult life.
One study into teenage behaviour found that children who were chronic victims of bullying were intelligent, sensitive and creative but were often very intense and hadn’t developed a real sense of humour.
Anti-Bullying School Action
By the SMT
• Follow the Procedure written below, recording all incidents in the Anti-bullying book (kept in the office), recording all details of the incident (who, what, where, how, date).
• increase staff supervision in all areas where bullying is most likely to occur
• increase the roles in teaching social skills and behaviour through assembly, PSHE and C, RE, Form Time.
• deal quickly, firmly and fairly with any complaints, involving parents where necessary
• remind the whole staff and school of the school rules and the discipline structure
• discuss aspects of bullying openly and discuss strategies to deal with bullying behaviour eg in assemblies, drama, PSHE &C
• encourage the girls to discuss how they get on with each other and to form positive attitudes towards others
• make it clear to all the girls that kindness and consideration for others is very important at Bramley School.
By the Teachers, Teaching Assistants and Nursery Nurses
• Watch for early signs: deterioration of work, spurious illness, headaches, stomach aches, isolation, an increasing desire to remain with adults
• Listen to the victim. Children will usually only confide in someone they feel they can trust. It is important to be discreet and to listen carefully
• Tell a member of the SMT so that they can action appropriate sanctions
• Make clear to the bully that certain behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated
• Be extra vigilant at break, lunchtime, between lessons – most bullying occurs when adults are not in the vicinity. Up to 75% of incidents of bullying occur in the playground.
Form Tutors
Form tutors need to inform pupils that the staff will take them seriously and will deal with bullies in a way which will end the bullying and will not just make things worse.
This message needs constant reinforcement. Pupils should be advised as follows:
Advice to the Pupils
• Tell yourself you do not deserve to be bullied. It is wrong.
• Be proud of who you are. It is good to be an individual.
• Try not to show you are upset. It is hard but bullies thrive on someone’s fear.
• Stay with a group of friends. There is safety in numbers.
• Be assertive. Walk away. Go straight to a teacher or a member of staff.
• Fighting back may make things worse.
• It is best to tell an adult you trust, straight away. You will get immediate support.
• Use the feeling box to express your concerns if you think that you cannot talk directly to an adult.
What should the other pupils do if they see bullying behaviour?
• TAKE ACTION! Watching and doing nothing looks as if you are on the side of the bully
• TELL AN ADULT IMMEDIATELY. Teachers have ways of dealing with the bully without getting you into trouble
• DO NOT BE, OR PRETEND TO BE FRIENDS WITH A BULLY. DO NOT TOLERATE BULLIES in your group. Bullies will stop if they are socially excluded.
Advice to Parents
Advice will be issued to parents as outlined in the DfES guidance DSIS. This will encourage parents to:
• Look out for unusual behaviour in your daughter: She may suddenly not wish to attend school, feel ill regularly, not complete work at her usual standard.
• Take an active role in you daughter’s education. Ask how her day has gone who did she spend her time with etc
• If you feel your daughter may be a victim of bullying behaviour inform the school immediately. Your complaint will be taken seriously and appropriate action will follow
• It is important you do not encourage your daughter to hit back. Encourage her to recruit friends. A child who has friends is less likely to be bullied.
• Explain to your daughter there is nothing wrong with her. It is not her fault that she is being bullied.
Procedure to Follow for Teachers
If any bullying is suspected we must talk to the suspected victim, the suspected bully and any witnesses. If any degree of bullying is identified, the following action will be taken:
1. In the Prep Department Mrs Hamilton (Head of Pastoral Care) (or any member of the SMT in her absence) and the Form Teachers must be informed immediately.
In the Pre-prep report to Mrs Dearlove who will liaise with the parents of the children involved.
2. Mrs Hamilton (or SMT) will talk with the suspected victim, suspected bully and any other witnesses and a detailed written record of the events or meetings or actions or outcomes will be kept.
3. Mrs Hamilton (or SMT) will document the incidence in the anti bullying book which is kept in the office. The detailed notes of the event will be kept in a folder in the office.
4. Mrs Hamilton will inform Mrs Burgess and the SMT.
5. The bully will be sanctioned according to the behaviour policy. (verbal warning, removal of privileges, etc).
6. A decision will be made as to whether further action needs to be taken e.g. CAF assessment with parents informed.
7. Help, support and counselling will be given as is appropriate to both the victim and bully.
8. Mrs Hamilton will follow up the bullying incident no later than 2 weeks. After discussion with the victim and bully, Mrs Hamilton will make a report on the current situation and discuss it with Mrs Burgess.
9. Mrs Hamilton and SMT continue to monitor the anti bullying policy:
• The Victim Offer an immediate opportunity to talk about the experience with an adult. Record all details in writing. Continue to offer support when they feel they need it. If considered necessary, contact parents. (Consult the Headmistress.)
• The Bully Talk about what happened and discover why she behaved in such a way. Continue to work with her and help her to get rid of her prejudiced attitudes which may have caused her behaviour. If considered necessary contact the parents (consult the Headmistress).
Monitoring and Review
This policy and its procedures will be monitored on an annual basis. The school may decide to use questionnaires to check on how far the policy has been successful in raising the awareness of bullying and preventing incidents of bullying.
P. Burgess/J. Hamilton
Policy to be reviewed January 2009
Policy reviewed and updated January 2009
Policy to be reviewed January 2010
Policy reviewed and updated August 2010 (after CPLO update)
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