Anti-bullying policy
The following is intended as a model outline policy that schools can use as a starting point when devising or revising their own policy.
The aim of the anti-bullying policy is to ensure that pupils learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment without fear of being bullied. Bullying is anti-social behaviour and affects everyone; it is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Only when all issues of bullying are addressed will pupils be able to fully benefit from the opportunities available at schools.
Bullying is defined as deliberately hurtful behaviour, repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves. The three main types of bullying are:
- physical (hitting, kicking, theft)
- verbal (name calling, racist remarks)
- indirect (spreading rumours, excluding someone from social groups).
Pupils who are being bullied may show changes in behaviour, such as becoming shy and nervous, feigning illness, taking unusual absences or clinging to adults. There may be evidence of changes in work patterns, lacking concentration or truanting from school. Pupils must be encouraged to report bullying in schools.
Schools' teaching and ancillary staff must be alert to the signs of bullying and act promptly and firmly against it in accordance with school policy.
Statutory duty of schools
Headteachers have a legal duty under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to draw up procedures to prevent bullying among pupils and to bring these procedures to the attention of staff, parents and pupils.
Implementation
Schools
The following steps may be taken when dealing with incidents:
- if bullying is suspected or reported, the incident will be dealt with immediately by the member of staff who has been approached
- a clear account of the incident will be recorded and given to the headteacher
- The headteacher will interview all concerned and will record the incident
- Form tutors will be kept informed and if it persists the form tutor will advise the appropriate subject teachers
- parents will be kept informed
- punitive measures will be used as appropriate and in consultation will all parties concerned.
Pupils
Pupils who have been bullied will be supported by:
- offering an immediate opportunity to discuss the experience with a form tutor or member of staff of their choice
- reassuring the pupil
- offering continuous support
- restoring self-esteem and confidence.
Pupils who have bullied will be helped by:
- discussing what happened
- discovering why the pupil became involved
- establishing the wrong doing and need to change
- informing parents or guardians to help change the attitude of the pupil.
The following disciplinary steps can be taken:
- official warnings to cease offending
- detention
- exclusion from certain areas of school premises
- minor fixed-term exclusion
- major fixed-term exclusion
- permanent exclusion.
Within the curriculum the school will raise the awareness of the nature of bullying through inclusion in PSHE, form tutorial time, assemblies and subject areas, as appropriate, in an attempt to eradicate such behaviour.
Monitoring, evaluation and review
The school will review this policy annually and assess its implementation and effectiveness. The policy will be promoted and implemented throughout the school.
