Anti-Bullying

Our aim is for all pupils to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment without fear
of being bullied.

We define Bullying as:

“The repetitive, intentional harming of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power.

Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. it can happen face-to-face or online.”

It is not the same thing as a disagreement between two people. Bullying is:

  • usually systematic and repeated, though one-off­ events can turn into bullying behaviour

  • done by a person who perceives themselves as more powerful than the victim

  • distressing and hurtful to the victim rather than gentle banter between friends

  • usually one way rather than an exchange

Bullying is anti-social behaviour and affects everyone; it is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.  Pupils are always encouraged to report all bullying – whether it involves themselves or another pupil.  

For further information about our Anti-Bullying strategy, please read our Anti-Bullying Policy which can be found on our Policies page.

Why this matters?

Sadly bullying behaviour happens in all schools. One national survey found that over 40% of young people had been bullied at some point in the preceding 12 months, of which almost half reported that they experienced bullying at least once a week (Ditch the Label, 2015). Research from NatCen and Red Balloon in 2011 estimated that more than 16,000 children between the ages of 11 and 15 were absent from schools each week as result of having been bullied.

However, there is nothing inevitable about children being bullied at school. We firmly believe that by everyone working together (staff, students and parents), we as a school can take significant strides towards preventing bullying from happening in the first place and can also successfully intervene where it has occurred to prevent it from recurring again.

Building an Anti-Bullying Culture

The key to preventing, and effectively responding to bullying, is having a strong school community which places respect, tolerance and kindness at its heart.

As such we continually strive to build that sense of community and belonging in all students and engender strong positive shared values within each one of them.

We also actively work to help students understand bullying and the individual hurt it causes and the wider damage to it brings to our school community.

In practical terms:

  • We continually remind all students of how unacceptable bullying is in any of its forms. As part of this we make sure they all know and understand the school policies on this.

  • We actively talk about what bullying is, and how they can stand up to it safely. Pupils who know what bullying is can better identify it and they can also talk about bullying if it happens to them or others. This is important in empowering students to support others who might be experiencing negative behaviours by helping them to show understanding, kindness and seek help.

  • We make sure pupils know how to get help. The school has various mechanisms by which any student can ask for help and support, whether they have been bullied themselves or know of someone to which it has happened. (See below)

  • We give practical guidance and advice to all students on how they can be effective ‘Upstanders’ - people who take action against bullying behaviours and/or seeks to help and support some one that might have been bullied. This is an important part of our school approach - encouraging all students to stand against bullying rather than simply watching from the side-lines.

  • We talk to students about they might respond to students that show bullying behaviours towards them and provide them simple tools and strategies

  • We ensure that all students know how to stay safe if they feel they are at risk of bullying behaviours

In addition to these practical steps all adults within the school seek to role model to students what strong, positive relationships look like. Even if it seems like they are not paying attention, children and young people are continually watching how adults manage stress and conflict, as well as how they treat their friends, colleagues, and families. By treating others with kindness and respect, we aim to show to all students that there is no place for bullying behaviour towards others - that it is not acceptable, at any time and in any form.

Reporting Bullying

We encourage any student that encounters any form of bullying to report it immediately, whether they are the victim or someone that has witnessed it.  This can be done by talking to an adult in school or a parent/carer, or other trusted adult.  (In the case of a parent/carer or other trusted adult out of school, we would ask that they immediately let us know so we can intervene to address the situation for the young person.)

Students can also use the ‘Report It’ button that is part of all our school IT systems. This enables any student to send an immediate message to the Pastoral Support Team so we can intervene and put in place support for the young person.  

We always respond to any notifications about bullying behaviours either on the day it is reported, or if it arrives at an evening or weekend we will respond the next day that students are back in school.

Support for students that have experienced bullying behaviour from others

We recognise that students that have experienced bullying will be anxious that it may not stop, or even that it may get worse having reported it.  We work very hard to support students through this time (and beyond), to help them manage their anxieties and then to rebuild their confidence.  Usually this will involve a designated adult regularly checking in with them and offering help and support as needed.

If your child is experiencing bullying or unkindness of any kind, please encourage them to report it using one of the three ways above.