OpenCheckAnti-Bullying
Abbotsbury Primary School Anti-bullying Policy
Definition of Bullying
Bullying may occur in a variety of ways and a variety of situations.
Bullying is:
The systematic isolation of one child or a group of children in a threatening way over a period of time (threats may be verbal, physical or through the use of body language) by an individual or group.
RATIONALE
The community expects schools to be places where teachers can teach and students can learn in a safe and orderly environment.
Our Anti-bullying policy and practice aims to ensure that all members of our community can be safe from any kind of bullying.
This policy should be read in conjunction with the school’s Behaviour Policy, Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, Teaching and Learning Policy, P.S.H.E. Policy, Exclusion Policy ( Merton Guidelines ), Health and Safety Policy and Policy for Equality.
Aims and objectives
Bullying is wrong and damages individual children.
We, therefore, do all we can to prevent it, by developing a school ethos in which bulling is regarded as unacceptable.
We aim, as a school, to produce a safe and secure environment where all can learn without anxiety.
This policy aims to produce a consistent school response to any bullying incidents that may occur.
We aim to make all those connected with the school aware of our opposition to bullying, and we make clear each person’s responsibilities with the regard to the eradication of bullying in our school.
The Role of the Governors
The governing body supports the head teacher in all the attempts to eliminate bullying from our school.
This policy statement makes it very clear that the governing body does not allow bullying to take place in our school and that any incidents of bullying that do occur are taken very seriously and dealt with appropriately.
The governing body monitors the incidents of bullying that occur and reviews the effectiveness of the school policy regularly. The governors require the head teacher to keep records of all incidents of bullying and to report to the governors on request about the effectiveness of school anti-bullying strategies.
The governors respond within ten days to any request from a parent to investigate incidents of bullying. In all cases, the governing body notifies the head teacher and asks her to conduct and investigation into the case and to report back to a representative of the governing body.
The Role of the Head Teacher
It is the responsibility of the Head Teacher to implement the school anti-bullying strategy and to ensure that all staff (both teaching and non-teaching) are aware of the school policy and know how to deal with incidents of bullying.
The head teacher reports to the governing body about the effectiveness of the anti-bullying policy on request.
The head teacher ensures that all children know that bullying is wrong and that it is unacceptable behaviour in school. The head teacher draws the attention of the children to this fact at suitable moments, for example in an assembly time.
The head teacher ensures that all staff receive sufficient training to be equipped to deal with all incidents of bullying.
The head teacher sets the school climate of mutual support and praise for success, so making bullying less likely. When children feel they are important and belong to a friendly and welcoming school, bullying is far less likely to be part of their behaviour.
The Role of the Teacher
Teachers in our school take all forms of bullying seriously and intervene to prevent incidents from taking place.
They pass all incidents of bullying to the head teacher, who records them centrally.
If teachers witness an act of bullying, they do all they can to support the child who is being bullied. If a child is bullied, then the child’s parents will be informed.
All acts of bullying are recorded by the head teacher. The parents of the child who is bullied are informed.
If the teachers become aware of any bullying taking place between members of a class, the issue is dealt with immediately. This may involve counselling and support for the victim of the bullying and sanctions for the bully. Time is taken to talk to the child who has bullied: it is explained why their actions were wrong and an effort is made to change this negative behaviour. If a child repeatedly bullies then the head teacher may, with the SENCO, invite the child’s parents into school to discuss the situation, in line with the sanctions laid out in the Policy to Promote Good Behaviour. In more extreme cases outside agencies may be called in.
Teachers attend training, which enables them to become equipped to deal with incidents of bullying and behaviour management.
Teachers support all children in their class and establish a climate of trust and respect for all. By praising, rewarding and celebrating the success of all children, we aim to prevent incidents of bullying.
The Role of Parents
Parents who are concerned that their child might be being bullied, or suspect that their child may be the perpetrator of bullying, should contact their child’s class teacher immediately.
Parents have a responsibility to support the school’s anti-bullying policy and to actively encourage their child to be a positive member of the school.
Monitoring and Review
This policy is monitored by the head teacher yearly.
She reports to the governors about the effectiveness of the policy on request.
The governors examine the school’s anti-bullying policy and hold discussions with the head teacher about its impact. Information is analysed with regard to gender, age and ethnic background of the children involved in bullying incidents.