ANTI - BULLYING POLICY
At Andreas we are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our pupils so they can learn in a secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our school. If genuine bullying does occur, we aim for pupils to feel able to tell an adult who will endeavour to deal with the incident promptly and effectively. In order to prevent bullying, we work to create a happy ethos where children feel safe and enjoy learning. Teachers foster positive relationships based on trust and mutual respect in the classroom which enables children to feel confident to share any issues they may have.
Defining Bullying
The NSPCC define bullying as ‘behaviour that hurts someone else. It includes name calling, hitting, pushing, spreading rumours, threatening or undermining someone. It is repeated over a long period of time and can hurt a child physically or mentally’.
The three main types of bullying are:
Physical (e.g hitting, kicking)
Verbal (e.g name calling)
Indirect (e.g rumours, exclusion, online)
One-off incidents are very different and are dealt with as and when they happen. Gathering evidence about true bullying does take time but it is always taken very seriously.
Intended Outcomes
- For all stakeholders to have an understanding of what bullying is
- To ensure that no person at the school is subject to bullying
- To ensure that any allegation of bullying is dealt with clearly and promptly
- To ensure that all members of the school community feel safe and valued
- To ensure that all stakeholders can access the school policy on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported
- To ensure that pupils and parents understand they will be supported when the alleged bullying is reported and has proven to be the case
- To ensure that everyone is aware of the responsibility to prevent bullying
Procedures
- Alleged bullying incidents are reported to staff, which will be recorded and investigated
- The child(ren) who is/are bullying will be isolated from other children whilst the bullying is investigated
- The victim of the alleged bullying will be protected and made to feel safe and secure
- In serious cases parents will be informed and will be asked to come into school to discuss the problem
- Once there is reliable evidence that genuine bullying is taking place, strategies will be put in place to ensure the bully/ bullies change their behaviour (which may take time and will be subject to continuous monitoring) - this may involve the school drawing on advice from outside agencies such as Early Help and Support, Educational Psychologists or in house SEN provision
Outcomes
- In serious cases, suspension or exclusion will be considered
- If possible, the pupils will be reconciled to facilitate better long term relationships
- After the incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not take place
Prevention
In order to prevent bullying we endeavour to ensure we promote:
- Happiness and good relationships within the school
- A positive approach to behaviour where good choices and good role models are recognised and celebrated in class (see behaviour policy)
- A consistent approach to sanctions and discipline from all adults in line with the behaviour policy
- A proactive approach where parents of both parties are involved immediately there is a genuine bullying issue
- Zero tolerance of genuine bullying
- Regular anti-bullying activities in school e.g. anti-bullying week, e-safety awareness, use of the Safer Schools app
Action taken by School in the case of bullying being carried out by an Adult.
If any member of staff feels that they are being bullied, or suspects that another member of staff is being, or is acting as a bully they should immediately inform the HT or DHT They will listen to any allegations made and if it is two members of staff involved will contact the DESC's Human Resources team for advice. The adult being bullied may also choose to seek Union advice.
If any member of staff feels they are being bullied by either the HT or DHT they should inform the schools SMT or DESC's Human Resources Department and take advice from either these people or their Union. If the bully is another adult from the community then the Governors would be informed.
This policy is subject to a yearly review and must be read alongside the behaviour policy and the safeguarding policy..
Reviewed September 2019, June 2021, June 2022
Review date September 2023