UNITED SCHOOLS FEDERATION 

St. Michael’s C. of E. Nursery & Primary School   St. Catherine’s C. of E. VA Nursery & Primary School 

St. Mary’s C. of E. VA Primary School   Marldon C. of E. VA Primary School   Ipplepen Primary School 

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY 

Statement of Intent 

At the United Schools Federation we are committed to providing a warm, caring and safe environment for all our children so that they can learn and play in a relaxed and secure environment. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our school.  

We take all incidents of bullying seriously. Bullying hurts. No-one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect and pupils who are bullying others need to learn different ways of behaving.  

At the United Schools Federation, we acknowledge that bullying does happen from time to time – indeed, it would unrealistic to claim that it does not. When bullying does occur, everyone should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively in accordance with our anti-bullying policy. We are a TELLING school (STOP....Start Telling Of People!). This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the staff.

Aims and Objectives of this Policy 

The aim of this policy is to try and prevent and deal with any behaviour deemed as bullying. The implementation of this policy will create an ethos where bullying is regarded as unacceptable so that a safe and secure environment is created for everyone to learn and work in. All members of the school have a responsibility to recognise bullying when it occurs and take appropriate action in accordance with the school policy.  

What Is Bullying? 

The school has adopted the following collaborative definition of bullying which is our shared understanding of what bullying is:

Bullying is any deliberate, hurtful, upsetting, frightening or threatening behaviour by an individual or a group towards other people. It is repeated over a period of time and it is very difficult for the victims to defend themselves (remember STOP – it happens Several Times on Purpose). Bullying is mean and results in worry, fear, pain and distress to the victims.

Bullying can be: 

• Emotional being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding books, threatening gestures), ridicule, humiliation,
• Verbal name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, threats, teasing, making rude remarks, making fun of someone,
• Physical pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching, throwing stones, biting, spitting, punching or any other forms of violence, taking or hiding someone’s things,

• Racist racial taunts, graffiti, gestures, making fun of culture and religion,
• Sexual unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive or sexist comments,
• Homophobic because of/or focussing on the issue of sexuality,
• Online/cyber setting up ‘hate websites’, sending offensive text messages, emails and abusing the victims via their mobile phones,
• Any unfavourable or negative comments, gestures or actions made to someone relating to their disability or special educational needs.

Bullying is not: 

It is important to understand that bullying is not the odd occasion of falling out with friends, name calling, arguments or when the occasional trick or joke is played on someone.  It is bullying if it is done Several Times On Purpose (STOP).  Children sometimes fall out or say things because they are upset. When occasional problems of this kind arise it is not classed as bullying..

Where does bullying happen? 

It can happen anywhere – in the classroom, in the corridor, in the toilets, in the dining hall, in the playground.  Bullying may also happen on the way to and from school.  

At the United Schools Federation we are concerned with our children’s conduct and welfare outside as well as inside school and we will do what we can to address any bullying issues that occur off the school premises. The following steps may be taken:

• Talk to the local Community Police Officer about problems on the streets.
• Talk to the Heads of Schools at other schools whose children may be involved in bullying off the premises.
• Discuss coping strategies with parents.
• Talk to the children about how to handle or avoid bullying outside the school premise

What can you do if you are being bullied? 

Wherever you are in school, you have the right to feel safe. Nobody has the right to make you feel unhappy.  If someone is bullying you, it is important to remember that it is not your fault and there are people who can help you. Always tell an adult ,use STOP!, Start Telling Of People !,  

Procedures for reporting and responding to bullying incidents 

All staff will respond calmly and consistently to all allegations and incidents of bullying at the United Schools Federation. They will be taken seriously by all staff and dealt with impartially and promptly. All those involved will have the opportunity to be heard. Staff will protect and support all children involved whilst allegations and incidents are investigated and resolved.

Bulling incidents will be dealt with in line with the schools' behaviour policy. Support may be given to both victim and perpetrator through the school counsellor/staff support.

Monitoring and evaluation of the policy   

Bullying incidents will be recorded within the behaviour log book and reported (anonymised) to Governors at each full meeting.

To ensure this policy is effective, it will be regularly monitored and evaluated.  

Sources of further information support and help 

There is a vast amount of information and guidance available about bullying that can provide a wide range of support and help. The following list is just a small selection of the support available that teachers, parents and children have found useful.