Anti-Bullying Policy

DEFINITION OF BULLYING

Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.

STATEMENT OF INTENT

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all our pupils so they can learn to the best of their ability in a secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our school. If bullying does occur, all pupils should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and efficiently.

What is bullying?

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can be:

• Emotional - Being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding books, threatening gestures)
• Physical - Pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
• Racist - Racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
• Sexual - Unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
• Homophobic - Focusing on the issue of sexuality
• Verbal - Name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing
• Cyber Bullying
  • All areas of internet, such as email and internet chat room
  •  Mobile threats by text messaging and calls
  •  Misuse of associated technology, i.e. camera and video facilities.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO RESPOND TO BULLYING?

Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Pupils who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS POLICY

• All teaching and non-teaching staff, pupils and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is.
• All teaching and non-teaching staff should know what the school policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.
• All pupils and parents should know what the policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.
• As a school we take bullying seriously. Pupils and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
• Bullying will not be tolerated.

Procedures in the event of bullying being identified:

1. Report bullying incident to staff. The incident should be recorded by staff in the iSMAS Student Profile.
2. If incident reoccurs, bullying incident should be referred to Head of Key Stage.
3. In serious cases parents should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem with head of section.
4. The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly.
5. Attempts will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour.
6. Victims of bullying will be given continued support and monitoring through lesson and mentoring.

Outcomes

1. The bully (bullies) will be asked to apologise. Other consequences may take place such as loss of break times, exclusion from after school activities etc.
2. In serious cases, suspension or even exclusion will be considered.
3. If possible, the pupils concerned should be reconciled.
4. After the incident/incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be monitored by heads of section to en-sure repeated bullying does not take place.
5. Loss of Internet time in school if Cyber bullying.