HARROWBARROW SCHOOL
BULLYING POLICY
Rationale
Bullying is a regrettable aspect of all schools and it is the aim of this policy to reduce its effect and to empower pupils to realise that they can control it.
Definition
Bullying is the wilful, conscious desire to hurt or frighten someone else. Bullying may be physical, verbal or by implied threat. It is an aggressive activity in which one pupil or a group of pupils repeatedly threaten, physically harass or by verbal comment impose their will on another pupil such as to cause that pupil to be inhibited, unhappy or adopt behaviour against his or her will.
Recognising Bullies
Bullies tend to have assertive attitudes over which they exercise little control.
Bullies usually lack empathy and cannot imagine what the victim feels.
Bullies tend to lack guilt as they often feel the victim deserves such treatment.
Children who bully others often come from families in which physical aggression and verbal abuse is commonly used or even encouraged.
Some bullies at school are themselves victims in the home situation.
Recognising Likely Victims
The victim may be the child who is in the wrong place at the wrong time and who reacts wrongly.
They may be pupils who are new to the school or class.
They may be different in appearance, speech or background.
They may be of a different ethnic origin.
They may suffer from low self-esteem.
They may be of a more nervous or anxious disposition.
They may demonstrate entertaining reactions when bullied e.g. loss of control, crying.
They may wish to be a victim to draw attention and sympathy for themselves.
Bullying Policy (Reviewed 25th Feb 09) Page 1 Prevention
As stated in the school's Behaviour, Care and Discipline policy the school aims to provide a caring, ordered and happy environment.
We aim for a secure and friendly relationship with the children, to create a happy environment conducive to good work, positive attitudes and good behaviour.
In the execution of these aims all adults in the school value the close relationships established with the children. It is our belief that these relationships create a situation where children feel that they can "speak out" and talk about any concerns and worries they have.
Children are encouraged to talk to the adults in the school about any worries or concerns they may have.
Opportunities will arise in Assemblies, RE, Drama and other curriculum areas when the message about bullying, the consequences and preventative measures can be brought home to pupils as a part of their learning.
All areas of the school regularly accessible to children are patrolled by teachers, ancillary support staff and lunchtime supervisors at play times, lunchtime and before and after school for the regulatory times.
It is made quite clear to all pupils, parents and all staff that any kind of bullying is completely unacceptable.
Praise and encouragement, together with high expectations are used as much as possible to encourage a pupil to have confidence and high self-esteem.
Response to Bullying
All known incidents of bullying are challenged and details ascertained by the adult in charge.
The victim is offered sympathetic counselling and the person or persons responsible for the bullying are expected to give an account of their reasons for their behaviour. The bully will be guided towards an understanding of why their behaviour is unacceptable and what actions/attitudes/amendments they need to make to improve. If appropriate the bully will be confronted by the victim and required to apologise.
In repeated incidents the school will respond according to the measures set out in the Behaviour, Care and Discipline policy i.e. parental involvement.
Established acts of bullying are recorded for Local Authority information gathering purposes.
The ultimate sanction will be exclusion.
This Policy has been approved by the Governing Body and will be reviewed on a regular basis.
Bullying Policy (Reviewed 25th Feb 09) Page 2