Policies - Bullying
Ensuring a friendly supportive school environment for all pupils.
“The school is a deeply supportive and extremely caring community.” Estyn
The School’s Anti Bullying policy
a document written in consultation
with teachers , parents and pupils.
Pupils may have disagreements, make comments which are thoughtless and unkind, may even, in a moment of anger, hit out at another pupil, they may, in short, misbehave and need to be dealt with accordingly. On such occasions it is important not to rush to a judgement of bullying.
The question we, as teachers, have to address is, is there evidence of one pupil or a group intentionally seeking to upset or undermine another pupil. It is evidence of calculated or motivated intent, on more than one occasion, which justifies calling the behaviour bullying.
It is important for all pupils to understand the difference. Failure to do so can end with a pupil being labelled a bully when it is unjustified.
There are playground incidents where a pupil becomes upset and accuses another person of, saying something unpleasant, not allowing another pupil to join a game, not sharing equipment and a raft of other small incidents which may be hurtful but are not examples of bullying. They are examples of misbehaviour and should be treated in line with the behaviour policy.
Bullying can be:
| Emotional: | being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting. |
| Physical: | pushing, kicking, hitting. |
| Racist: | racial taunts, names. |
| Sexual: | unwanted physical contact or comment. |
| Verbal: | persistent name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing. |
| Cyber: | all areas of internet, such as email & facebook misuse. |
| Mobile: | threats by text messaging & calls. |
To a child bullying is:
- Deliberately hurtful.
- Repeated.
- Difficult to counteract by the victim.
- Different from random acts.
- Characterised by an ‘imbalance of power’ e.g. a more powerful person or persons intentionally hurting a less powerful person or persons.
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 school 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.
Signs and Symptoms
A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and they should investigate if a child: becomes withdrawn, anxious, lacking in confidence or shows significant changes from normal behaviour. These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.Procedures
As the parent of a child whom you suspect is being bullied:- Report bullying incidents to the class teacher.
- The incidents will be recorded by staff.
- The issue will be investigated by the class teacher in the first instance. If there is evidence that the issue is reoccurring the Headteacher will be brought in.
- In serious cases parents, both sets, should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem and a procedure put in place. The important thing is to let all concerned know that the situation is being closely monitored and reviewed.
- The case will be monitored for an agreed period. After a resolution the case will be closed and parents and pupils will be notified verbally or in writing. The outcome will be recorded and dated.
- Attempt to sort the problem out yourself by speaking to the child whom you think may be the bully or by speaking to their parents.
- Encourage your child to be ‘a bully’ back. Both of these will only make the problem much harder to solve.
Outcomes
- All known/reported incidences of bullying will be investigated by the class teacher or by the headteacher
- Parents of the victim may also be questioned about the incident or about their general concerns.
- The bully (bullies) may have sanctions imposed on them. See behaviour policy.
- In serious cases, which cannot be resolved suspension or temporary or permanent exclusion will be considered.
- If possible, the pupils will be reconciled.
- After the incident / incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not take place. After an agreed period the case will be closed and all parties will be informed.
Prevention
At Treffos we use a variety of methods for helping children to prevent bullying through class assemblies, philosophy /RE or during PSHE and Citizenship lessons. The ethos and working philosophy of Treffos means that all staff actively encourage children to have respect for each other and for other people’s property. Good and kind/polite behaviour is regularly acknowledged and rewarded. Children are involved in the prevention of bullying as and when appropriate, these may include:- writing a set of school or class rules;
- signing a behaviour contract;
- writing stories or poems or drawing pictures about bullying;
- reading stories about bullying or having them read to a class or assembly;
- making up role-plays about what to do through scenarios of bullying;
- having discussions about bullying and why it matters that bullies are dealt with;
- Tell a friend;
- Tell a member of the School Council;
- Tell a teacher or adult whom you feel you can trust;
- Tell a parent or adult at home whom you feel you can trust;
- Discuss it as part of your Circle Time;
- Place a note in the Worry Box (KS2);
To read the Treffos Policy on Behaviour, please click HERE.