Anti-Bullying

Whitehill Primary School has a “Zero Tolerance” approach to bullying in all areas of the school, including cyber-bullying. Bullying is defined as ongoing, targeted abuse as opposed to one-off incidents of name calling or a physical disagreement. Bullying is when a person or persons repeatedly use words, strength or actions to hurt them and make them unhappy. There are three common aspects of bullying: a. it consists of deliberately hurtful behaviour, b. it occurs repeatedly over a period of time, c. It is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves. A bully is someone who deliberately uses words, strength or actions to hurt someone when they know they cannot or will not stop them. Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Bullying has the potential to damage. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Pupils who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving. Children and young people have many rights and one of them is the right to be safe. We value and work towards the emotional health and wellbeing of all children and young people. We aim to create a climate of respect where anti-social and bullying behaviours are not accepted or tolerated. We work towards reducing bullying, harassment and anti-social behaviour. Bullying is willful behaviour (physical or emotional) which repeatedly and purposely aims to hurt, intimidate, frighten, harm or exclude another individual or group. Harassment is intentional threatening or disturbing behaviour. It is the unwanted conduct on grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation, which has the purpose or effect of violating dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. It is commonly understood as behaviour intended to disturb or upset, and it is characteristically repetitive. Anti-social behaviours are actions that harm or lack consideration for the well-being of others. Bullying can take many forms including racist, homophobic, gender and cyber bullying.

Our vision is of building confidence, ambition and independence. Both fosters high expectations of outstanding behaviour and we will challenge any behaviour that falls below this.

In any school, bullying can take place in the classroom, playground, toilets, on the journey to and from school, on residential trips and cyberspace. It can take place during the school day, in the classroom, in the corridor or toilets, on the playground, out of school whilst on residential visits, day visits, in group activities and between families in the local community. All of these areas are part of our school community and we will support children no matter the location. If necessary, the police will be consulted with. We explain to children that all staff are alerted to the signs of bullying and children are encouraged to tell their class teacher or other adults working in the school. This is shared in confidence with other staff. Teachers always take bullying seriously and deal firmly with such behaviour. If a child persists in bullying, the formal consequences outlined earlier in this procedure will be brought into play. The ultimate consequence of bullying could be permanent exclusion. Victims of bullying will be re-assured, offered further support and their parents involved if necessary.

The school has a Peer Mentoring scheme which operates every lunchtime, under the supervision of a member of staff. Some Yr 5 and 6 pupils have undergone intensive training to enable them to support pupils on the playground who may be struggling with peer relationships or have no one to play with. The peer mentors will help mediate, or facilitate positive playground interaction. For more serious incidents, the supervising adult will intervene. If a child reports that they are being bullied or are having ongoing issues on the playground, this will initially be reported to the class teacher by the lunchtime leader. Class teacher will endeavour resolve the issue between the pupils, however persistent bullying or serious incidents will be referred to Deputy Head – Inclusion and a decision will be made as to the best way of moving forward. This may involve restorative justice approaches, temporary removal from the playground, parental involvement, social skills group work and specific support on the playground as part of an agreed plan.

As the parent of a child whom you suspect is being bullied please report incidents to the class teacher or student support. Do not attempt to sort the problem out yourself by speaking to the child whom you think may be the bully or by speaking to their parents. Do not encourage your child to be ‘a bully’ back. Both of these will only make the problem much harder to solve.

External Organisations That can support:

KIDSCAPE Parents Helpline (Mon-Fri, 10-4) 08451 205 204

Parentline Plus 0808 800 2222

Childline 0800 1111

Bullying Online www.bullying.co.uk

Visit the Kidscape website www.kidscape.org.uk for further support , links and advice.

For a copy of Kidscape’s free booklets “Stop Bullying”, “Preventing Bullying” and “You Can Beat Bullying”, send a large (A4) self-addressed envelope (marked “Bully Pack”) with 6 first class stamps to: Kidscape, 2 Grosvenor Gardens, London, SW1W 0DH

Anti-Bullying Charter:

Children and young people are encouraged to report bullying and discrimination.
Children and young people who are victims of bullying and harassment are given support.
The anti-bullying procedure is regularly reviewed and monitored.
Action is taken to challenge and reduce bullying and discrimination and other anti-social behaviour by children and young people.
Agencies provide training, advice and support to staff to help to identify, prevent and manage bullying and harassment.
There is a commitment to working with other agencies to support a child and young person to minimise bullying and its impact.
There is regular monitoring of incidents of bullying and harassment