Anti-Bullying
Rationale
The school recognises the entitlement of all pupils to be educated in a safe and non-threatening environment. Bullying may well lead to unhappiness in school, academic progress may be impaired and in some cases pupils may be reluctant to attend.
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All pupils must understand that:
Bullying is defined as a pattern of behaviour over a period of time whereby an individual or group subjects a pupil to threats or actual incidents of physical and/or verbal aggression/abuse. |
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Principles
The school prospectus makes a clear statement to pupils and parents about the unacceptability of bullying.
Staff are expected to take appropriate and firm action as and when bullying comes to their attention. Failure to do so condones the bullying.
Pupils should know that their complaints will be taken seriously and dealt with in confidence and that complaints can be made to any member of staff who would then refer them through the appropriate channel, normally the House system.
A firm disciplinary line will be taken with bullies which will include counselling, parental involvement and in appropriate cases exclusion.
Procedures
All pupils are required to report either instances or perceived instances of bullying. This will be stressed during the induction of new pupils.
PSE lessons, form periods and assemblies are used to promote good peer relations and to emphasise the effect and unacceptability of bullying.
As pupils move through the school they are provided with a range of tasks which encourage cooperative work and experience a variety of groupings that help to extend their relationships beyond a small group of friends.
Staff will be alert to signs of bullying and concerns will be discussed with house staff at the earliest opportunity.
Parents are encouraged to discuss school life with their children and any concerns about bullying should be raised with the appropriate house staff straight away.