Anti-bullying Policy

Introduction

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our pupils, so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere.  Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our school.  If bullying does occur, all pupils should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. 

We are a telling school. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the staff.

What is Bullying?

There is no legal definition of bullying. However, it is usually defined as behaviour that is:

• Repeated.
• Intended to hurt someone either physically or emotionally.
• Often aimed at certain groups, eg because of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

Bullying can be:

Emotional

being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding books, threatening gestures).

Physical

pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence.

Racist

racial taunts, graffiti, gestures.

Sexual

unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments.

Homophobic

because of, or focussing on the issue of sexuality.

Verbal

name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing.

Cyber

All areas of internet, such as email and internet chat room misuse. Mobile threats by text messaging and calls. Misuse of associated technology, i.e. camera and video facilities. Social Networking Sites.

Objectives of this Policy

• All governors, teaching and non-teaching staff, pupils and parents/carers should have an understanding of what bullying is;
• All governors and teaching and non-teaching staff should know what the school policy is on bullying, and should follow it when bullying is reported;
• All pupils and parents/carers 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;
• Bullying will not be tolerated.

Procedures

• Report bullying incidents to a member of staff you trust and feel comfortable with;
• In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be recorded centrally by staff;
• In serious cases parents will be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem;
• If necessary and appropriate, police will be contacted;
• The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly;
• An attempt will be made to help the bully/bullies change their behaviour.

Outcomes

• The bully/bullies may be officially warned.  Other consequences may take place including detentions or the use of no blame meetings where appropriate;
• 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;
• If the bullying persists fixed term exclusions will be considered;
• In extreme cases where the bullying is persistent over a long period of time permanent exclusion may be considered.

Prevention

• At Hollingworth we will promote good citizenship through our PSHE programme and talk openly about bullying and why it is unacceptable; 
• Use assemblies to highlight the issues and distress caused by bullying;
• Promote through the school bulletin the ethos of a telling School;
• Use school councils to discuss the issues and ways of tackling bullying.