You are here-> Home :: Pupils :: Anti-Bullying Policy

Anti-Bullying Policy

1. Why do we need an Anti-Bullying Policy?

Bullying is anti-social behaviour that has the potential to affect anyone at some stage: pupils and staff.

At St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School our vision as detailed in our Mission Statement is:

... to continually improve the first class education, development and high achievement of all our pupils. This will be in a calm, disciplined and caring environment where relationships are based on Catholic values for all pupils, staff, parents and governors.

Persistent bullying can undermine our stated aim and inhibit a child's ability to learn effectively. When members of staff are affected it can prevent them from doing their jobs effectively.

The aim of this policy is to ensure that pupils and staff are part of a supportive community which valued education in a caring and safe environment, free from threat, harassment and any type of bullying behaviour including racist and homophobic bullying.

2. What is bullying: definitions?

Bullying is defined as deliberately hurtful behaviour, repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those who are being bullied to defend themselves. Bullying occurs when an individual or group uses strength, power or includence to hurt, threaten or frighten someone, physically or emotionally, by intimidating or demeaning others. It is usually covert, and is a conscious attempt to cause harm. The three main types of bullying are:

Physical	Hitting, kicking, physical assault, theft of personal property, demanding money, favours or property through malice, harassment etc.
Verbal	Name calling, teasing, racist remarks, derogatory comments about members of someone's family, unwanted phone calls, personal insults, making comments behind people's back etc.
Emotional	Deliberate exclusion from social groups, spreading rumours, ridiculing someone for a perceived difference, improper use of email, text messages or videos through mobile phones, writing notes about individuals, etc.

Bullying is usually persistent and can be the result of perceived differences in physical features, economic status, racial and cultural background, gender or sexual orientation, intellectual ability, age etc. Bullying can occur on the school premises, on a school trip or whilst coming to and going from school.

3. School Aims

To promote an anti-bullying ethos amongst the whole community by increasing awareness and encouraging pupils and staff to report any bullying concerns;
To provide protection, support and reassurance for targets of bullying;
To develop the self-confidence and self-esteem of all students and staff;
To provide effective lines of communication with interested parties keeping everyone informed of developments regarding specific incidents;
To develop staffing policies that iis fair and encourages a harmonious workplace.

We do this through:

Developing a school ethos based on Catholic values emphasising the uniqueness of the individual and inclusivity;
Promoting anti-bullying awareness through the curriculum, specifically in Religious Education, Personal and Social Education and Drama and through assemblies and the use of outside agencies;
Staff training;
Maintaining open lines of communication;
Effective procedures for incident management and reporting;
Developing a range of strategies to support targets and bullies;
Providing staff with information about what to do if they feel threatened, intimidated or bullied by a colleague.

4. What to do if you think you are a target of bullying?

It is the duty of everyone who witnesses an instance of bullying - or potential bullying - to act to stop it. This duty applies to all students, teachers and other adults.

Students who feel they are being bullied must report the incident immediately. They can do so directly to a member of staff or indirectly through a senior students (BFP) or a friend. (Students are advised of this on entry to the school and are reminded periodically through assemblies and pastoral programmes).

In the case of an employee, refer the matter to your line manager or the headteacher. If the headteacher is the source of your complaint you can take the matter to the Chair of Governors. The school's formal grievance procedure is also available.

5. What we do when bullying is suspected?

The school is working hard to create an atmosphere in which students and staff are able to speak out without fear and to seek justice for themselves and for others. Any student or member of staff who feels unhappy or threatened should not regard it as a private or personal problem should seek the help of a friend, senior students, teacher or counsellor.

If bullying is suspected or reported the incident will be dealt with as a matter of urgency by the member of staff
approached. This may involve passing the information on to a senior member of staff.

A clear account of the incident will be recorded by the senior member of staff.
The senior member of staff will interview those concerned, keeping a full record of what is said.
The senior member of staff will make a judgement as to the severity of the incident and may involve parents and others as appropriate.
The senior member of staff may judge that punitive measures are necessary and if so, will be used as appropriate in consultation with all parties concerned.

For staff related incidents the line manager/headteacher/Chair of Governors will attempt to solve the problem informally. If not the proper procedures are detailed in the grievance procedure.

6. Strategies available to be used

The specific strategy used will be dependent on a number of factors ie the nature of the incident, its persistence, the number of students involved etc. The senior member of staff dealing with the incident will judge which strategy is most appropriate.

a) Support for targets of bullying may include:

Being listened to and taken seriously
The opportunity to talk through the problem with trained counsellors
Peer support/peer mentoring
The use of a time out room which doubles as a 'safe haven'
Assertiveness training/confidence building and restoring self-esteem
Liaison with parent/guardian
Contact with outside agencies (if required) eg pupil support VOG, Educational Psychologist

b) Support for bullies may include:

Discussing the incident and why they feel the need to bully another student
Establishing why their behaviour is wrong and seeking a change
Liaison with parent/guardian
Contact with outside agencies (if required) eg pupil support VOG, Educational Psychologist
Peer mentoring
Peer support group who work with a trained member of staff
Warnings about future behaviour

c) What happens to confirmed bullies?

If, in the opinion of the senior teacher dealing with the incident, there is clear evidence to indicate that an individual or group are guilty of bullying the following disciplinary steps can be taken (in accordance with the school's discipline policy). The seriousness of the incident, whether the bullying is persistent or an isolated occurrence will determine the sanction applied to the perpetrator(s):

official warnings to cease offending;
detention;
internal exclusion (isolation);
use of the 'On Report' system;
exclusion from certain areas of the school at certain times;
formal recording of incidents relating to racism, homophobia etc (in extreme cases the police may also be informed);
Behaviour Agreement Contracts;
short fixed term exclusions of 1 to 5 days;
longer fixed term exclusion of 10 - 45 days;

once all possible avenues have been explored and the situation persists permanent exclusion is possible.

7. Monitoring and Review

This policy document was produced in consultation with staff, students, parents and governors. Its implementation and effectiveness will be monitored by the leadership team bi-annually with an annual report provided to the Pupils Sub Committee of the Governing Body. A full review will take place every three years.

Parents who are worried about bullying issues are welcome to contact the headteacher or any other member of staff about their concerns. If any party is dissatisfied with the school's response to an incident then they have recourse to the school's complaints procedure.