Anti-Bullying Code

Last updated Wednesday 24 January 2018

Our school is special

Kewaigue school is special. It is a happy and fun school where
respect is very important. It is a school where we celebrate that
we are all different. We want everyone to behave in a friendly,
truthful, polite and respectful manner with no bullying. Everyone
in school is equal and has the right to express an opinion in a
secure and safe environment.

BULLYING

Bullying behaviour is directly contrary to the safe, caring and
supportive environment, high standards of behaviour and shared
values that we facilitate and expect at Kewaigue School.

We have a legal duty to have an anti-bullying policy. We also
have a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to
issues of bullying.

Our aim, therefore, is to ensure bullying is prevented and where
it does happen, it is dealt with swiftly and effectively.

What is bullying?

There are many definitions, but most have four things in common:

· It is deliberately hurtful or harmful behaviour

· It is repeated often over a period of time

· It is difficult for those being bullied to prevent or put a
stop to it

· It causes feelings of distress, fear, loneliness and lack of
confidence in those who are at the receiving end.

Bullying can take many forms but the five main types are:

· Physical (hitting, kicking, pushing, taking belongings)

· Verbal (name calling, insults (including those of a racist,
sexual or homophobic nature) taunting, mocking, making offensive
personal comments; threatening, intimidating; creating situations
in which someone is humiliated, or made to look ridiculous, or
gets into trouble;

· Non-verbal, involving body language, gesture and facial
expression. Non-verbal behaviours can be just as hurtful and
intimidating as those which involve abusive language.

· Indirect (emotional, spreading nasty stories about someone,
excluding someone from a social group, playing tricks and pranks)

· Cyberbullying (when one person or a group of people aim to
threaten, tease or embarrass someone else by using a mobile
phone, the internet or other technologies)

We are agreed that bullying behaviour in any form will not be
tolerated if, when or where it affects children who come to our
school.

We expect all children to report bullying behaviour and not take
on the role of a follower and/or bystander to this behaviour.

We expect all parents to work in partnership with the Headteacher
and other staff members (where appropriate) when this type of
behaviour is reported and concerns their child in any way. If
parents feel their child may be a victim of bullying behaviour,
inform school immediately. A complaint will be taken seriously
and appropriate action will follow.

We have an anti-bullying code and clear procedures are in place
if a “bullying” incident is reported.

AWARENESS RAISING

The whole school community will be made aware of our policy of
behaviour and anti-bullying through school council meetings,
assemblies, circle time, PSHCE sessions and access to it given
through the school website and prospectus.

CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION

To ensure our policy is fully integrated into the life of the
school, formal and informal opportunities will be planned and
implemented to ensure everyone continues to abide by the
procedures set out in this document. These may include the
following;

Assemblies

PSHCE lessons

Circle time

Displays and posters

Playground games led by children and staff

Home-school diaries

School website and prospectus

SUPPORT

Staff

All staff will be kept abreast of current thinking with regard to
anti­bullying and if required, support will be given to implement
this policy. Opportunities for staff to receive training on
matters relating to managing behaviour and positive handing will
be given through courses available through the CPD programme and
school based INSET.

Victims

Support for the victim is essential both immediately following
the incident and during an agreed period of review. Peer support,
staff support, parental support and outside agency support may
all be essential to ensure that the victim does not suffer any
long term damage. After a period of time staff will meet with the
victim to reassess the situation and the relationship between
those involved.

Perpetrators

It is recognized that support must be given to the perpetrator.
Disciplinary procedures against the perpetrator(s) are intended
to change or modify behaviour rather than label anyone as a
bully. Such procedures may include:

· Positive behaviour strategies

· Withdrawal of activities

· The establishment of mentoring or buddying system

· Discussion about the effects of bullying

· Peer mediation

· Involvement of other agencies and services such as an
Educational Psychologist, or the Behaviour Support Team.

PARENTAL/CARER INVOLVEMENT

Parents and carers will be expected to take responsibility for
the behaviour of their child both inside and outside school. They
will be encouraged to work in partnership with the school to
assist in maintaining high standards of behaviour.

The school will ensure that parents/carers are informed promptly
of concerns regarding their child and are given opportunity to be
involved in supporting school actions and responding to the needs
of their child.

Anti-Bullying Code

· No-one has the right to make you feel upset.

· In the playground make sure that you can always be seen by an
adult.

· If you think someone is coming to hurt you, walk away or run
away.

· If someone hits you do not hit back. This is what the person
wants you to do so that they have an excuse to hit you again.
Tell a teacher, or any adult in the school. You must also tell
your parent.

· If someone threatens you over and over again, that is bullying.
Tell a teacher, or any adult in the school. You must also tell
your parent.

· If someone tries to force you to give them money, food or
something that belongs to you, that is bullying. Never give
anyone anything that you don’t want them to have. Tell your
teacher, or any adult in the school. You must also tell your
parent.

REMEMBER

TELL SOMEONE AND KEEP ON TELLING THEM UNTIL THEY
LISTEN

Sometimes adults think you are just “fussing” but the only way a
bully will stop is if you tell an adult. So keep on telling them
until they listen and do something about it.

IF YOU THINK SOMEONE ELSE IS BEING BULLIED TELL
SOMEONE

The person being bullied may be too frightened to do anything
about it.

YOU CAN HELP by telling a teacher, or any adult in the school.

What Do You Do If You Know Someone Is Being Bullied?

a) Take action! Watching and doing nothing looks as if you are on
the side of the bully. It makes the victim feel more unhappy and
on their own.

b) If you feel you cannot get involved, tell an adult
immediately. Teachers will deal with the bully without getting
you into trouble.