Anti-Bullying Policy

Section One – Anti-Bullying Policy
We regard bullying as particularly serious and always take firm action against it.
We encourage children to work against it and to report any incidents of bullying.
Bullying can be physical, verbal or emotional by a single person or a gang.
Incidents of bullying can include:

  • Name calling
  • Malicious gossip
  • Damaging or stealing property
  • Coercion into acts they do not wish to do.
  • Violence and assault
  • Pinching/kicking
  • Jostling
  • Teasing
  • Intimidation
  • Extortion
  • Ostracising
  • Damaging school work and equipment.

Reason for being a victim may be
  • Race/Sex/Class
  • New child in school
  • Child with family crisis
  • Disability - or difference of any kind.

They are likely to be children who are not assertive (timid) unlikely to fight back, loners with few friends, anxious or fearful children, younger children, and those outside a group.

Reasons for being a bully may be
1. Victim of violence
2. Enjoyment of power/creating fear
3. Copying behaviour at home or on T.V.

It occurs in children from all backgrounds, cultures, races, sexes, from Nursery to 6th Form or adult.

General Statements about bullying.
1. Boys often bully younger children of both sexes.
2. Girls often use verbal abuse and ostracise from peer group - usually to other girls.
3. Some victims are also bullies.
4. Some victims are treated as culprits.
5. Onlookers are condoning bullying and becoming part of bullying.

Early signs of distress
1. Withdrawn
2. Deterioration of work
3. Spurious illness
4. Isolation
5. Desire to remain with adults
6. Erratic attendance
7. General unhappiness/anxiety/fear.
8. Late arrivals
9. Bed wetting and other signs noted in Special Needs policy.

Framework for anti-bullying campaign
Prevention is better than cure so:

1. Encourage the caring and nurturing side of children.
2. Work for a caring, cooperative ethos (home corner, paired, group work)
3. Discuss friendships
4. Ensure adequate supervision in playgrounds
5. Positively encourage caring and discourage bullying.

Recognise difference between:
Bullying/Bossiness and Bullying/Boisterous behaviour

Bullying
Focussed on younger smaller and timid children increasingly relying on threat and force.
Wilful conscious desire to hurt threaten and frighten.

Bossiness
Bossing whoever is around at the time.
Usually grows out of it as they mature and learn social skills.

Bullying
Play spoiling other children's activities, showing violence and hostility.
Rough intimidating behaviour.

Boisterous behaviour
More natural uncontrolled - not vindictive - not unfriendly.


Working with parents.
Don't give permission for bullying by saying:

1. You must have done something to deserve it.
2. Go and hit him back
3. Don't be a wimp.
4. Boys will be boys
5. It will sort itself out.
6. It is part of growing up.
7. Got to take it like a man.
8. Must learn to look after themselves.
9. Don't tell tales (if it proves to be a consistent complaint.)

Sanctions for bullying:

We have a range of sanctions to use:

1. Discussion
2. Encouragement
3. Time out of classroom
4. Loss of priviledges
5. Detentions
6. Meeting with parents/carers
6. Exclusions for one or more days (See Exclusion Policy)
7. Expulsion



Formal Procedure for Complaints

For all staff Part - time and Full - time

1. All complaints to go to Class teacher, assigned person, Deputy Head and Head Teacher.
2. Record all incidents and discussions with all children involved in the Incident File.
3. Involve parents and explain action taken, why and what they can do to reinforce and support.
4. Ask parents to attend a meeting at the school. Take minutes. Send report to parents together with minutes.

If further action is required -

1. Report to Proprietor.
2. Official complaints procedure.

Informal Procedure
1. Stress that watching and doing nothing is supporting
2. Be aware and tackle any racist or sexist language i.e. Equal Opportunities Policy.
3. Give support to both victim and bully. Victim needs self esteem and self value. Bully needs to work with others (cooperation rather than competition). Do not bully the bully - find out why they are bullying.
4. Reward non-aggressive behaviour in school.
5. Follow up, to support victim and prevent reoccurrence.
6. Make clear to parent unacceptability of bullying i.e. no 'hit him back' attitude.
7. Use peer group pressure and approbation and disapproval (Special needs policy and behaviour policy).
8. Help children to see other point of view how would you feel if.......?" Make them aware of newcomers/ loners or shy children.
9. In-service training/discussion/staff conferences.