Anti-Bullying : Policy Guidelines
Working together to recognise the value and realise the potential of each student
The Angmering School is committed to creating a safe and secure environment for all students within the school community so that a culture of mutual support exists.
To develop this culture we take time and care to ensure that incidents of bullying are dealt with promptly and effectively. All members of the school community are asked to adhere to this policy.
We review our Anti-Bullying Policy regularly and will implement promptly any changes to policy and practice.
Definition of Bullying:
Bullying is behaviour deliberately aimed at making someone feel unhappy, afraid, or isolated, usually over a period of time.
Bullying takes many forms; the main types are:-
- Physical - including hitting, kicking, taking belongings
- Verbal - including name calling, insults and offensive remarks
- Indirect - including spreading rumours, exclusion from a group, sending malicious emails, text messages or phone calls
Bullying also takes the form of racist bullying, when a child is targeted for representing a group and attacking that child sends a message to that group. It can take the form of sexist bullying, including sexual orientation. It may also take place when a child has Special Educational Needs or disabilities.
General Principles for action:
The Angmering School is committed to forming positive learning and friendship groups for all students.
The Angmering School creates a culture in which bullying is not tolerated.
The Angmering School uses peer mentoring and circle of friends to support vulnerable students
Students are actively encouraged not to tolerate bullying within their peer group.
Students are encouraged to report incidences of bullying and inform an adult whenever bullying occurs.
Staff offer the victim immediate support and initiate appropriate action.
Staff inform parents of actions taken with bully and victim.
Staff arrange a discussion with the participants to resolve the conflict. The Victim and bully are monitored to ensure there are no recurrences.
Staff refer to the relevant section (7.7) in the Staff Diary on a regular basis.
The personal, social and vocational aspects of the Citizenship Curriculum underpins the work of the teaching.
Key Personnel:
The Governors:
Agree the Anti-Bullying Policy and monitor its implementation.
The Student Discipline Committee supports the work of the school with individual students as appropriate.
The Headship Team:
Monitors the implementation of the Anti-Bullying Policy.
Supports and advises on Anti-Bullying guidelines.
Ensures every new student is aware of the policy during their introductory visit.
The Assistant Headteacher ensures that:
Specific guidelines for anti-bullying procedures are adhered to.
Accurate and detailed information is recorded by the necessary parties.
An overview is maintained of incidents.
Liaison with the Schools Intervention Officer takes place when required.
The policy is reviewed and updated and ratified by governors.
Year Team Leaders ensure that:
Incidents of alleged bullying are logged and dealt with effectively through regular consultation with and advice to Group Tutors.
Consultation with Headship Team and Group Tutors occurs to ensure the culprit and victim are dealt with fairly.
Relevant sanctions are imposed, taking into account past occurrences. Sanctions may include withdrawal from breaks, lunchtimes, internal exclusion or external exclusion (by the Headteacher).
They deal with any cross-tutor group incidents or severe incidents of bullying when referred to them by the Group Tutor.
The Citizenship and personal, social and health programmes revisit bullying throughout school life.
They raise awareness of bullying by covering the topic in assemblies.
Group Tutors ensure that:
They are alert to signs that a student is being bullied, for example, poor attendance, deterioration of work, seeking adult company etc.
Their tutees are aware that bullying is unacceptable through regular discussions during registration time and through the delivery of the Citizenship and personal, social and health programme.
They foster an environment whereby their students will feel the supportive atmosphere which allows them to report incidences of bullying.
The most appropriate member of staff has a discussion with all students involved, together or separately, to help resolve the conflict and to avoid future occurrences.
An account is written re: the incident and that parents of all relevant parties are informed of the incident and sanctions imposed.
They check with victims on a regular basis to ensure no recurrence has occurred.
All reports are filed via the Administrative Team in the relevant student files.
All teachers ensure that:
They deliver parts of the syllabus relating to anti-bullying.
They use every opportunity to inculcate attitudes of support and personal responsibility.
All Staff ensure that:
They are aware and alert to the signs that a student is being bullied and deal with it consistently and instantly.
They are constantly aware of low-level bullying and re-iterate its unacceptability.
They are aware that covert bullying may take place even with no disclosure.
They constantly confront inappropriate language whenever it is heard. They will be particularly alert to racist, sexist or other discriminatory behaviour and log this via the Group Tutor.
They are aware that any racist incident (A racist incident is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person) must also have a 'Racist Incident in Schools' report completed and logged by the Headteacher?s Personal Assistant.
All Students ensure that:
They report any incidents of bullying to an adult, preferably a teacher, as soon as possible.
Links with other Policies
Equal Opportunities Policy
Staffing Policy
Effective Learning Groups Policy
Assembly and Collective Acts of Worship Policy
Behaviour Policy
Child Protection
Success Criteria for Policy:
Quantitative & Qualitative Data indicate the following;
Fewer incidences of bullying reported but no evidence of unreported incidents
Students report positive experiences of being listened to and supported
Good working relationships exist between staff and students
This policy has been written in accordance with the DfES anti-bullying pack Don't Suffer in Silence