Anti-Bullying

 

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

 

BULLYING: OUR SCHOOL’S VALUES AND BELIEFS

 

At Bolshaw Primary School we have a firm commitment to the every pupil who attend and their wellbeing. The aim of the anti-bullying policy is to ensure that pupils learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment without fear of being bullied. Bullying is anti-social behaviour and affects everyone; it is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.   In an attempt to encapsulate the ethos, spirit and aims of our school we have agreed the following ‘Statement of Intent’:

Bolshaw Primary School aims to provide a secure and caring community where everyone can learn their own self-worth in an atmosphere of tolerance, mutual respect and co-operation.

We intend the school to be a happy and enjoyable place to learn and work, which will provide the opportunity for every child and adult to fulfil their potential in an attractive, well resourced and stimulating environment.

We will encourage children to become confident, independent learners who are able to contribute positively to the school and the community in which they live so they can take their full place in society. We encourage our children to become secure as individuals, whilst able to respect the needs and values of others as responsible citizens of society.

In line with this statement:

• All bullying, of any sort, is therefore unacceptable.
• Pupils who experience bullying will be supported.
• We recognise the effects that bullying can have on pupils’ feelings of worth and on their school work, and the school community will actively promote an anti-bullying environment.

 

OUR INTENTIONS IN PRODUCING THIS POLICY ARE

 

To express our belief that all pupils should be included fully in the life of the school.

To provide a learning environment free from any threat or fear, which is conducive to the achievement of individual aspirations.

To reduce and to eradicate, wherever possible, instances in which pupils are made to feel frightened, excluded or unhappy.

To reduce and to eradicate, wherever possible, instances in which pupils are subject to any form of bullying.

To respond effectively to all instances of bullying that are reported to us.

To establish a means of dealing with bullying, and of providing support to pupils who have been bullied.

To provide support for pupils who are accused of bullying, who may be experiencing problems of their own.

To ensure that all pupils and staff are aware of the policy and that they fulfil their obligations to it.

To meet any legal obligations which rest with the school.

 

OUR DEFINITION OF BULLYING

 

Bullying involves dominance of one person by another, or a group of others, is pre-meditated and usually forms a pattern of behaviour.

Bullying is therefore:

• Deliberately hurtful
• Repeated, often over a period of time
• Difficult for victims to defend themselves against.

It can take many forms but the main types are:

• Physical – hitting, kicking, taking another’s belongings
• Verbal – name calling, insulting, making offensive remarks
• Indirect – spreading nasty stories about someone, exclusion from social groups, being made the subject of malicious rumours, sending malicious e-mails or text messages on mobile phones/social networking sites.

Some forms of bullying are attacks not only on the individual, but also on the group to which he or she may belong. Within school we will pay particular attention to:

• Racial harassment and racist bullying
• Sexual bullying
• The use of homophobic language
• Bullying of pupils who have special educational needs or disabilities.

 

CREATING AN ANTI-BULLYING CLIMATE IN SCHOOL

 

Our school’s Behaviour Policy explains how we promote positive behaviour in school to create an environment where pupils behave well; where pupils take responsibility for each other’s emotional and social well-being; and where they include and support each other.

We also draw on the school’s Curriculum, PSHE and SEAL materials (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) and promote appropriate behaviour through direct teaching, and by creating an emotionally and socially safe environment where these skills are learned and practised. Our aim is to create a climate where bullying is not accepted by anyone within the school community.

 

Our curriculum is used to:

 

• Raise awareness about bullying and our anti-bullying policy
• Increase understanding for victims and help build an anti-bullying ethos
• Teach pupils how constructively to manage their relationships with others

 

Circle Time, assemblies, role- plays and stories are used to show what pupils can do to prevent bullying, and to create an anti-bullying climate in school.

Bullying will not be tolerated and we make this clear in the information we give to pupils and parents when they join our school.

The school Charter is displayed around the school and in classrooms to remind pupils of their rights and responsibilities.

We will publish our anti-bullying policy on the school web-site.

Posters around school will tell pupils what to do if they are bullied, or see others being bullied, and about Childline and other sources of confidential help.

Our Learning Council offers a forum in which concerns about bullying can be discussed on a regular basis.

We will provide written guidance for parents in the school handbook what to do if they suspect their child is being bullied at school.

We will ask pupils whether they feel safe in school and we will supervise, and try to eliminate any unsafe areas which they report to us.

We will provide regular training/reminders for teachers and non-teaching staff on spotting the signs of bullying and how to respond to it.

Anti-Bullying Alliance

 

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