Waterside Primary School Anti Bullying Policy
Waterside Primary School: Safeguarding
www.safeguardingchildren.stoke.gov.uk
Waterside Primary School Anti Bullying Policy Head Teacher: Mrs J Knowles
Ofsted: Behaviour, Health and Wellbeing
Policy Reviewed: November 2015 (Version 2) Stakeholders Received: November 2015 Policy Review: November 2017 Ratified by Governors: 8th December 2015
Signature: ____________________________
ANTI-BULLYING POLICY
On Behalf of the Governing Body
1. INTRODUCTION 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 rarely sorts itself out. It is clear that certain jokes, insults, intimidating/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 an individual best be able to benefit from the opportunities available at the school.
2. WHY IS AN ANTI-BULLYING POLICY NECESSARY? The school believes that its pupils have the right to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment without the fear of being bullied. All institutions, both large and small, contain some numbers of pupils with the potential for bullying behaviour. If a school is well disciplined and organised, it can minimise the occurrence of bullying where it is made clear that bullying is a form of anti-social behaviour. The school also has a clear policy on the promotion of good citizenship. It is WRONG and will not be tolerated. It is important therefore that the School has a clear written policy to promote this belief, where both pupils and parents/guardians are fully aware that any bullying complaints will be dealt with firmly, fairly and promptly.
3. DEFINITIONS FROM STAKEHOLDERS The pupils of the school have agreed the following definition through work completed in their lessons and assemblies: ‘At Waterside Primary School we have agreed that bullying is not acceptable or tolerated. Bullying is when someone or a group of people are constantly being mean to one person. It can take many forms like verbal, emotional, physical, and racist and can be aggressive. Another example of bullying is called ‘Cyber- Bullying’. This is when someone goes on the internet or phone and writes offending comments every day. When this happens the person being bullied is left feeling sad, heart broken, humiliated, embarrassed, ridiculed, and alone and hurt. They may not enjoy coming to school anymore. Bullying is not where someone falls out with someone else or two friends have an argument. You can prevent bullying by talking to people you can trust like teachers and family members.’
Staff, parents/carers and governors of the school have agreed the following definition: Bullying is defined as a concerted and often prolonged effort, by one or more people, to upset a targeted individual in order to demean and undermine to the advantage of the bully. It is with the intent to cause a person feel disheartened. It is an action that should never be tolerated and monitored closely with a high level of systematic monitoring. Bullying is not:
Children falling out Children losing their temper Children pushing or hurting in a single event. (This is covered in other areas)
4. WHAT IS BULLYING? Bullying can occur through several types of recurring and focussed anti-social behaviour: -
PHYSICAL - A child can be physically punched, kicked, hit, spat at, etc. VERBAL - Verbal abuse can take the form of name calling. It may be directed towards gender, ethnic origin, physical/social disability, or personality, etc.
EXCLUSION - A child can be bullied simply by being excluded from discussions/activities, with those they believe to be their friends.
DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR THEFT - Pupils may have their property regularly damaged, moved or stolen. Physical threats may be used by the bully in order that the pupil hands over property to them.
CYBERBULLYING - Cyberbullying is the use of technology to threaten, embarrass or intimidate. RACIST -Racist bullying is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or another person. It may be perpetrated against individuals on the basis of their race, skin colour, nationality, culture, language or religion.
HOMOPHOBIC - This involves the targeting of individuals on the basis of their perceived or actual sexuality or sexual orientation, including if they do not conform to a perceived dominant masculine or feminine gender image.
5. HOW DO WE SUPPORT VULNERABLE CHILDREN? Pupils who have specific abilities, disabilities or special educational needs (including behaviour) are often at greater risk of being bullied, both directly and indirectly. Staff are made aware of any vulnerable pupils within their class during a transition meeting, so the well-being of these pupils can be monitored more closely and additional support can be offered if required. Waterside Primary has a number of staff which can be pro-actively deployed to support vulnerable children. There are also key people that pupils can approach: Miss Massey – Mentoring Leader, Mrs Donnellan & Mrs Steele (Assistant Head Teachers), Miss Marsh/ Miss Kelly – Nurture Assistances. The Peer Mediators are Year 6 pupils are being trained and on completion will listen to and resolve minor squabbles at lunchtime. Where social and emotional support is needed, suitable pupil mediators are identified to support when necessary. On the playground we have friendship zones with benches where children can come and peers will offer friendship support to maintain happy relationships and a sense of belonging for all children
6. PREVENTION The staff in school take all forms of bullying seriously, and seek to prevent it from taking place. The school follows a set of ‘Rainbow Values’ and these are continually referred to, in assemblies, Circle Time, lessons and when dealing with any inappropriate behaviour in school, and are also displayed throughout the school, consistently. These behaviours are regularly acknowledged and rewarded each week in the Awards Assembly. If any bullying is witnessed or being monitored, all stakeholders can fill in an Orange form to complete information and begin an information searching trail to assess risk and requirement. Staff representatives will attend the Anti-Bullying Steering Group meeting, each half term, to provide input into how to move the school forward in its response to any incidents of bullying.
Teachers use a range of methods to help prevent bullying and to establish a climate of trust and respect for all. Through the PSHE curriculum children are taught about how to develop positive relationships, and this message is reinforced in all aspects of school life. Further work covers the different types of bullying. Staff use drama, role-play and stories within the curriculum and assemblies, to help pupils understand the feelings of bullied children and those who bully, and to practise the restraint required to avoid bullying behaviour. Bullying is raised as a whole school issue each year and two further anti-bullying weeks are scheduled annually into the school’s calendar. One focused around bullying and the other around E Safety and Cyber Bullying. Each key stage has a ‘worry post box’ which pupils can use to raise any concerns about bullying, and are checked by teachers on a daily basis. The children have access to bullying report faces to voice their concerns if required. Pupils also complete an annual anti-bullying questionnaire to identify areas for further development.
7. WHAT CAN A CHILD DO IF HE/ SHE IS BEING BULLIED? Remember that silence is the bully’s greatest weapon, at Waterside we follow the Make Some Noise Approach! a) Tell yourself that you do not deserve to be bullied, and that it is WRONG! Be proud of who you are. It is good to be individual. b) Be assertive – shout “No!” Walk confidently away. Go straight to a teacher, member of staff or Peer Mediator c) Follow the ‘Bullying Pathway’ form, posting concerns in the Waterside Worry Post Box d) Tell your Class teacher e) Contact any member of staff or visit Mrs Massey in her office at playtimes / lunchtimes, put notes in the Worry Box or email. All other staff are available. f) Tell your parent or carer or email [email protected]
8. WHAT THE SCHOOL WILL DO IF IT BELIEVES A CHILD IS A BULLY? The Waterside Primary School believes that children are intrinsically good but sometimes they may act inappropriately towards others. Should incidents of bullying arise teachers and support staff keep a record (Bullying Incident Form), and follow the Bullying Pathway to deal with these incidents. A copy of the Form is then passed to the school Head Teacher if the bullying continues. Teachers and support staff do all they can to support the child who is being bullied and the child who is bullying, ensuring that parents/carers remain informed. Incidents of bullying are followed up repeatedly at the weekly SLT meeting, so senior staff can check that the bullying has not resumed over the following months. When any bullying has taken place, the teacher will deal with the issue as soon as possible. This may involve learning mentor involvement for individual and/or group work, support for the victim and sanctions for the offender. Time is spent talking to the child who has done the bullying, explaining to them why their action was wrong and how they should change their behaviour in future, and reassuring the victim that measures will be put into place to ensure that no further incidents of bullying will take place. Both children’s parents/carers will be informed, and they may be invited into the school to discuss the situation. In more extreme cases, e.g. where these initial discussions have proved ineffective, the head teacher will involve our mentoring leader. If these actions do not improve the unwanted behaviours then children will be excluded for fixed term periods and ultimately excluded from school permanently.
9. WHAT CAN PARENTS DO IF THEY BELIEVE THAT THEIR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED? Parents are always asked to encourage their children to tell a teacher immediately that they have been upset. In turn parents are encouraged to discuss their concerns with school, initially the teacher who will inform the Head teacher. Parents should attempt to discover names, times and frequency whenever possible so that school can make a full investigation by asking adults and children and by observing behaviours. Parents can email: Mrs Massey – School Mentoring Leader or Senior Leaders including the Head Teacher using the email [email protected] [email protected] Parents are asked to be vigilant regarding their children’s use of technology, and to set up Parental Controls. Children can bully and be bullied whilst they are on their phone, iPad, laptop, x-box, Nintendo DS and Play stations and so parents need to be vigilant at all times. It is better if such equipment is located in areas of the house where usage is monitored. Facebook is for over 13s. For further information: www.thinkuknow.co.uk (Parents’ Section) www.bbc.co.uk/schools/parents/cyber_bullying http://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week/
Routes of referral for bullying incidents:
Principal Senior staff Class teacher Teaching Support Assistant Inclusion Support Worker Learning Mentors Leaders Lunchtime Supervisor Pupil Post Email Website – Pupil Referral box
Other relevant polices/ procedures:
Behaviour Policy Home School Agreement E Safety Policy Health and Safety PSHCE & Citizenship Safeguarding ICT
www.safeguardingchildren.stoke.gov.uk
Waterside Primary School Anti Bullying Policy Head Teacher: Mrs J Knowles
Ofsted: Behaviour, Health and Wellbeing
Policy Reviewed: November 2015 (Version 2) Stakeholders Received: November 2015 Policy Review: November 2017 Ratified by Governors: 8th December 2015
Signature: ____________________________
ANTI-BULLYING POLICY
On Behalf of the Governing Body
1. INTRODUCTION 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 rarely sorts itself out. It is clear that certain jokes, insults, intimidating/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 an individual best be able to benefit from the opportunities available at the school.
2. WHY IS AN ANTI-BULLYING POLICY NECESSARY? The school believes that its pupils have the right to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment without the fear of being bullied. All institutions, both large and small, contain some numbers of pupils with the potential for bullying behaviour. If a school is well disciplined and organised, it can minimise the occurrence of bullying where it is made clear that bullying is a form of anti-social behaviour. The school also has a clear policy on the promotion of good citizenship. It is WRONG and will not be tolerated. It is important therefore that the School has a clear written policy to promote this belief, where both pupils and parents/guardians are fully aware that any bullying complaints will be dealt with firmly, fairly and promptly.
3. DEFINITIONS FROM STAKEHOLDERS The pupils of the school have agreed the following definition through work completed in their lessons and assemblies: ‘At Waterside Primary School we have agreed that bullying is not acceptable or tolerated. Bullying is when someone or a group of people are constantly being mean to one person. It can take many forms like verbal, emotional, physical, and racist and can be aggressive. Another example of bullying is called ‘Cyber- Bullying’. This is when someone goes on the internet or phone and writes offending comments every day. When this happens the person being bullied is left feeling sad, heart broken, humiliated, embarrassed, ridiculed, and alone and hurt. They may not enjoy coming to school anymore. Bullying is not where someone falls out with someone else or two friends have an argument. You can prevent bullying by talking to people you can trust like teachers and family members.’
Staff, parents/carers and governors of the school have agreed the following definition: Bullying is defined as a concerted and often prolonged effort, by one or more people, to upset a targeted individual in order to demean and undermine to the advantage of the bully. It is with the intent to cause a person feel disheartened. It is an action that should never be tolerated and monitored closely with a high level of systematic monitoring. Bullying is not:
Children falling out Children losing their temper Children pushing or hurting in a single event. (This is covered in other areas)
4. WHAT IS BULLYING? Bullying can occur through several types of recurring and focussed anti-social behaviour: -
PHYSICAL - A child can be physically punched, kicked, hit, spat at, etc. VERBAL - Verbal abuse can take the form of name calling. It may be directed towards gender, ethnic origin, physical/social disability, or personality, etc.
EXCLUSION - A child can be bullied simply by being excluded from discussions/activities, with those they believe to be their friends.
DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR THEFT - Pupils may have their property regularly damaged, moved or stolen. Physical threats may be used by the bully in order that the pupil hands over property to them.
CYBERBULLYING - Cyberbullying is the use of technology to threaten, embarrass or intimidate. RACIST -Racist bullying is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or another person. It may be perpetrated against individuals on the basis of their race, skin colour, nationality, culture, language or religion.
HOMOPHOBIC - This involves the targeting of individuals on the basis of their perceived or actual sexuality or sexual orientation, including if they do not conform to a perceived dominant masculine or feminine gender image.
5. HOW DO WE SUPPORT VULNERABLE CHILDREN? Pupils who have specific abilities, disabilities or special educational needs (including behaviour) are often at greater risk of being bullied, both directly and indirectly. Staff are made aware of any vulnerable pupils within their class during a transition meeting, so the well-being of these pupils can be monitored more closely and additional support can be offered if required. Waterside Primary has a number of staff which can be pro-actively deployed to support vulnerable children. There are also key people that pupils can approach: Miss Massey – Mentoring Leader, Mrs Donnellan & Mrs Steele (Assistant Head Teachers), Miss Marsh/ Miss Kelly – Nurture Assistances. The Peer Mediators are Year 6 pupils are being trained and on completion will listen to and resolve minor squabbles at lunchtime. Where social and emotional support is needed, suitable pupil mediators are identified to support when necessary. On the playground we have friendship zones with benches where children can come and peers will offer friendship support to maintain happy relationships and a sense of belonging for all children
6. PREVENTION The staff in school take all forms of bullying seriously, and seek to prevent it from taking place. The school follows a set of ‘Rainbow Values’ and these are continually referred to, in assemblies, Circle Time, lessons and when dealing with any inappropriate behaviour in school, and are also displayed throughout the school, consistently. These behaviours are regularly acknowledged and rewarded each week in the Awards Assembly. If any bullying is witnessed or being monitored, all stakeholders can fill in an Orange form to complete information and begin an information searching trail to assess risk and requirement. Staff representatives will attend the Anti-Bullying Steering Group meeting, each half term, to provide input into how to move the school forward in its response to any incidents of bullying.
Teachers use a range of methods to help prevent bullying and to establish a climate of trust and respect for all. Through the PSHE curriculum children are taught about how to develop positive relationships, and this message is reinforced in all aspects of school life. Further work covers the different types of bullying. Staff use drama, role-play and stories within the curriculum and assemblies, to help pupils understand the feelings of bullied children and those who bully, and to practise the restraint required to avoid bullying behaviour. Bullying is raised as a whole school issue each year and two further anti-bullying weeks are scheduled annually into the school’s calendar. One focused around bullying and the other around E Safety and Cyber Bullying. Each key stage has a ‘worry post box’ which pupils can use to raise any concerns about bullying, and are checked by teachers on a daily basis. The children have access to bullying report faces to voice their concerns if required. Pupils also complete an annual anti-bullying questionnaire to identify areas for further development.
7. WHAT CAN A CHILD DO IF HE/ SHE IS BEING BULLIED? Remember that silence is the bully’s greatest weapon, at Waterside we follow the Make Some Noise Approach! a) Tell yourself that you do not deserve to be bullied, and that it is WRONG! Be proud of who you are. It is good to be individual. b) Be assertive – shout “No!” Walk confidently away. Go straight to a teacher, member of staff or Peer Mediator c) Follow the ‘Bullying Pathway’ form, posting concerns in the Waterside Worry Post Box d) Tell your Class teacher e) Contact any member of staff or visit Mrs Massey in her office at playtimes / lunchtimes, put notes in the Worry Box or email. All other staff are available. f) Tell your parent or carer or email [email protected]
8. WHAT THE SCHOOL WILL DO IF IT BELIEVES A CHILD IS A BULLY? The Waterside Primary School believes that children are intrinsically good but sometimes they may act inappropriately towards others. Should incidents of bullying arise teachers and support staff keep a record (Bullying Incident Form), and follow the Bullying Pathway to deal with these incidents. A copy of the Form is then passed to the school Head Teacher if the bullying continues. Teachers and support staff do all they can to support the child who is being bullied and the child who is bullying, ensuring that parents/carers remain informed. Incidents of bullying are followed up repeatedly at the weekly SLT meeting, so senior staff can check that the bullying has not resumed over the following months. When any bullying has taken place, the teacher will deal with the issue as soon as possible. This may involve learning mentor involvement for individual and/or group work, support for the victim and sanctions for the offender. Time is spent talking to the child who has done the bullying, explaining to them why their action was wrong and how they should change their behaviour in future, and reassuring the victim that measures will be put into place to ensure that no further incidents of bullying will take place. Both children’s parents/carers will be informed, and they may be invited into the school to discuss the situation. In more extreme cases, e.g. where these initial discussions have proved ineffective, the head teacher will involve our mentoring leader. If these actions do not improve the unwanted behaviours then children will be excluded for fixed term periods and ultimately excluded from school permanently.
9. WHAT CAN PARENTS DO IF THEY BELIEVE THAT THEIR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED? Parents are always asked to encourage their children to tell a teacher immediately that they have been upset. In turn parents are encouraged to discuss their concerns with school, initially the teacher who will inform the Head teacher. Parents should attempt to discover names, times and frequency whenever possible so that school can make a full investigation by asking adults and children and by observing behaviours. Parents can email: Mrs Massey – School Mentoring Leader or Senior Leaders including the Head Teacher using the email [email protected] [email protected] Parents are asked to be vigilant regarding their children’s use of technology, and to set up Parental Controls. Children can bully and be bullied whilst they are on their phone, iPad, laptop, x-box, Nintendo DS and Play stations and so parents need to be vigilant at all times. It is better if such equipment is located in areas of the house where usage is monitored. Facebook is for over 13s. For further information: www.thinkuknow.co.uk (Parents’ Section) www.bbc.co.uk/schools/parents/cyber_bullying http://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week/
Routes of referral for bullying incidents:
Principal Senior staff Class teacher Teaching Support Assistant Inclusion Support Worker Learning Mentors Leaders Lunchtime Supervisor Pupil Post Email Website – Pupil Referral box
Other relevant polices/ procedures:
Behaviour Policy Home School Agreement E Safety Policy Health and Safety PSHCE & Citizenship Safeguarding ICT
