Anti-bullying and staying safe
We believe that children have the right to be in a secure environment, to feel safe in school, protected from all types of bullying.
The importance of this issue is underlined by the School’s Anti-Bullying Policy, which is drawn up by governors, staff, parents and students and undergoes annual review. The subject forms a part of the Wider Curriculum programme. We consider bullying to be against our underlying ethos and completely unacceptable. Our policy addresses both the issues faced by the victim and strategies to be adopted with the bully. Students and parents are encouraged to make the school aware of instances of bullying, which senior staff can then deal with.
The Student Planner contains the following advice:
WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU ARE BEING BULLIED?
What is bullying?
Bullying is defined as any words or actions that are meant to hurt you or your feelings and that you have difficulty dealing with.
If you are concerned about being bullied, you know someone who you think is being bullied or you are concerned about your behaviour towards others, there are lots of people to whom you can talk.
In school you can talk to:
- Form Tutor
- Student Manager
- Head of House
- Another teacher or member of staff
- Peer Mentor
- School Nurse
- You can also report an incident on the ‘ZUMOS’ system or school website:
Other useful contacts are:
Childline 0800 1111 / www.childline.org.uk
Kidscape Parents Helpline 08451 205 204 / www.kidscape.org.uk
Anti-Bullying Alliance / www.anti-bullyingalliance.org
Visyon 0800 652 6293 www.visyon.org.uk
Other useful websites are:
www.chatdanger.com
www.kidsmart.org.uk
ww.thinkuknow.co.uk
ww.parentlineplus.org.uk
Our Advice
- In reacting to the ‘bully,’ try not to show that you are upset or angry, instead pretend to be confident, walk away and report the incident to someone.
- Try and avoid being on your own.
- Remember that name-calling is deliberate and is meant to upset you. It is not a true description of you, so try not to react.
- Keep a diary of what happens, especially if it happens again and again.
- If you do not feel able to report the bully, write a letter to someone you trust.
REMEMBER – YOU ARE NOT ALONE!