Anti-Bullying
By Dolphin School
Aug 20, 2009 - 2:23:32 PM
ANTI BULLYING POLICY
The problem
All schools in the world seem to suffer in varying degrees from the problem of bullying. Although we believe that Dolphin is a very pleasant, tolerant and well disciplined school, where the incidence of bullying is rare, it is right to be vigilant. We therefore have a clear policy on this issue; it includes giving advice to parents, pupils and staff.
Our definition of bullying
Bullying is the repeated and intentional hurting, humiliating, threatening or frightening of another person or group perpetrated by an individual or group. This may be physical or emotional abuse of the person or group or abuse of his or her property. The school recognises the following types of specific bullying may take place and ensures that its policies guard against them: racial, religious, cultural, sexual, homophobic, disability and cyber bullying.
The school also recognises that bullying can take place between pupils, between staff, between staff and pupils (and vice versa), between parents and staff (and vice versa) and it could be face to face, indirect or using a range of cyberbullying methods. Bullying of any form may cause considerable psychological damage and has been known to lead to suicide. Although bullying itself is not a specific criminal offence there are criminal laws that apply to threatening behaviour and harassment.
Our policy
The staff and children at Dolphin agree that they will not tolerate any form of bullying. Everyone who is part of the Dolphin community has a responsibility for each other and we aim to promote an anti bullying ethos within the school. This policy is applicable to all children at Dolphin including those in the Early Years Foundation Stage and it has regard to the DCSF guidance Safe to Learn: Embedding Antibullying work in schools
Our aim is to have a well-ordered, happy community where effective learning can take place and where there is mutual respect between all members. The following code was drawn up by children and staff at Dolphin:
Respect yourself and all others in the community.
Be thoughtful and considerate to the needs of others: they have the right to learn and to enjoy Dolphin too.
Exercise self-control and take responsibility for your own actions.
Respect property – yours, other people’s and the environment.
Help the staff to make the learning rewarding for them and for you.
Action needed by pupils (stressed to them in form time, PSHE, in the curriculum, assemblies, through posters and in the Children’s Handbook)
If you are being bullied, tell your form teacher, your mentor, the Deputy Head, the Head or any other adult. Do not be intimidated by a bully saying it will be even worse for you if you report bullying.
When someone else is being bullied or is in distress, take action. Watching and doing nothing may suggest support for the bully.
Express your disapproval of bullying; do not tolerate a bully in your circle of friends.
Always treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. Remember that calling someone names, or incessant teasing, is bullying. Do not become a bully yourself.
Action by the school
Our initial concern is to encourage good behaviour and respect for others and to prevent bullying rather than to punish bullies. Curriculum, PSHE and whole school opportunities are used to discuss issues that promote tolerance and understanding of different cultures, races and beliefs as well as the right of every individual to learn and to work in an environment where they are free from the fear of bullying. Picking on someone with special educational needs or disabilities, homophobic name calling, sexism and cyberbullying both inside and outside of school are unacceptable. Staff and pupils are given training to recognise different types of bullying and access to support as needed. Parents have access to an efficient and clearly understandable complaints procedure.
The school keeps detailed written records of bullying incidents and these are analysed weekly. It also looks at areas within the school premises and times in the school day when bullying is most likely to take place, so that it can take appropriate remedial action. Staff are kept informed about this action and regular training sessions are held to raise awareness of the seriousness of bullying.
The anti bullying policy is regularly monitored and reviewed and its success celebrated.
Bullying is a major offence and will be dealt with firmly.
In a case where bullying has occurred our action will be:
· To support the victim in any appropriate way. To gather as much additional information as possible and to keep written records of the bullying incident. To inform the parents of the victim if appropriate.
· To educate the bully. Parents are kept informed, informally orally and then in writing if their child has bullied another child. This is for the bully’s own sake as well as for others. Other members of the school community also need to be made aware that this bullying behaviour is unacceptable.
· To deter the bully. Bullying offences are recorded in writing and appropriate action is taken depending on the severity of the bullying. The action taken after each incident should also be recorded in writing and the bully should be given the opportunity to put right the harm they have caused if that is practical. Severe or persistent bullying will be referred to the Head who, if necessary, may suspend or even expel the offender.