Anti-Bullying Policy


ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

INTRODUCTION

 Children and young people have the right to be safe.  All staff have a responsibility to keep them safe.  Bullying is a problem for everyone.  The victims of bullying are not the only ones damaged by bullying.  Those who watch and are aware of bullying are also harmed.  Organizations which put up with bullying do not work as well as they could and people within such organizations are often unhappy. Staindrop Business and Enterprise College believes that bullying is an inappropriate social interaction which can have a long term damaging effect upon both the victim and perpetrator.  It recognizes that bullying is a major concern for many pupils, parents and teachers and that it can affect school attendance and school performance. 

DEFINITION OF BULLYING

Bullying may be defined as the abuse of power by an individual or group in relation to another individual or group.  It may be physical, sexual, verbal or psychological in nature.  It may occur frequently or infrequently, regularly or irregularly but it should be taken seriously even if it has only occurred on one occasion. Central to the definition of bullying are the intent and motivation of the perpetrator which will primarily be to exert power over another in order to cause distress. 

ENTITLEMENT 

Staindrop Business and Enterprise College believes children need to be educated in an environment which:

  • Is safe and caring
  • Provides challenges but is non-threatening
  • Encourages children to feel secure
  • Values children’s opinions and involves them, where appropriate, in the determining of school policy and rules
  • Shows an awareness of children’s individual needs and attempts to meet these.
 Staindrop Business and Enterprise College believes that when a child claims to have been bullied or is suspected of being bullied they are entitled to expect: 
  • That they will be listened to in an appropriate setting and that every effort will be made to establish the facts
 
  • The appropriate action will be taken to address the child’s concerns and to ensure that there is no recurrence
 
  • That the action the school intends to take will be made clear to the child and if appropriate the child’s parents

  Staindrop Business and Enterprise College believes that children who are suspected of bullying another child are entitled to expect: 

 

  • That they will be listened to in an appropriate setting and that every effort will be made to establish the facts.
 
  • To know what action the school can take.
 
  • To know what action the school intends to take.

  Staindrop Business and Enterprise College believe that parents too are entitled to expect that: 

 

  • Their child will be educated in an atmosphere which is safe and caring and is not characterized by violence and intimidation.
 
  • The school will take all reasonable steps to prevent bullying occurring.
 
  • Any bullying incident which is reported will be investigated. 

THE WHOLE SCHOOL POLICY 

 

  • Encouraging a listening, telling and believing environment where the concerns of the individual are taken seriously and dealt with appropriately.
 
  • Encouraging the view of the school as a community where each individual has an important and valued role to play.
 
  • Minimising confrontation and encouraging mutual respect.
 
  • Adults providing good models of behaviour for children.
 
  • Developing a sense of common purpose between staff and pupils and parents.
 
  • Consistent use of clearly defined procedures for dealing with any inappropriate social behaviour.
 
  • Providing a positive learning environment and appropriate curriculum for all pupils.

 The Head of Pastoral is responsible for co-ordinating anti-bullying issues.  The school’s anti bullying policy has been put into practice through a number of initiatives. 

GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN BEING BULLIED 

  • DISCUSS the situation with your child.

    • Be calm
    • Show sensitivity
    • Show concern
    • Make time to be with your children and to listen to them.

 

  • Avoid taking action that is likely to make the situation worse. Do not immediately rush off to deal with the situation yourself.
  • If your child has been bullied, try to establish the full facts before giving advice.  What you need to do depends on the severity of the bullying.

 

  • Check that your child has not prompted the bullying but bear in mind that victims sometimes blame themselves when they have done nothing at all.

 

  • Bullying is never acceptable.  Do not tell your child to “Just put up with it.”  Action needs to be taken to stop the bullying.

 

  • Be wary of telling your child to fight back.  The bully is likely to be stronger.  Your child is likely to be beaten up.

 

  • If it appears that the bullying is not serious, try to establish whether your child will be able to cope by him/herself with advice and support given by you.

 

  • Inform someone in the school who the child trusts - this need not necessarily be the Headteacher.

 

  • All incidents should be seen as  alleged until proved.

 

  • All incidents will be investigated and as a parent you will be informed of the progress/outcome.

 

It must be realized that instant solutions cannot always be found but every effort will be made to reach an outcome as soon as possible.