BULLYING POLICY

Aims of the policy

The aims and objectives of Regina Coeli School in formulating this policy are as follows:

To reduce and eradicate wherever possible instances in which pupils and adults are subjected to bullying or racism in any form.
To establish appropriate means of providing support should such an incident occur.
To mirror the Catholic ethos of the school.
To show that we value the cultural diversity of our community and aim to prevent any form of persecution by meeting the needs of our diverse society.

The ultimate aim should be to provide a learning environment free of any threat of fear, thus being conducive to the attainment of individual aspirations.

The Mission Statement

Regina Coeli School recognises that gospel values and the teaching of the church are central to the life of the school. Together with parents, who are the first educators, and parish we aim to create an environment where children can develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially and morally. Together we hope to lead our children towards understanding, tolerance, justice and sensitivity to the need of others.

In order to achieve this: WE AIM:

To make prayer, worship and liturgy real educational experiences, and in co-operation with parents and parish to contribute to the development of faith of each individual in the school community.
To develop the school as a caring, sharing Catholic community, extending links into the local and wider community and to include awareness and nurture a sense of justice and tolerance of other faiths in terms of equal opportunities for all.
Through a well balanced and well planned curriculum the school will provide the children with a sound basis on which they can build, in order to develop opportunities responsibilities, and experiences for an adult life.
To ensure the best opportunities for children’s learning and progress by ensuring that planning and assessment of work is well structured and reviewed.

Definition of Bullying

"Any persistent word or action that causes offence to another."

Bullying/racism may be defined as repetitive “behaviour by one or more people which produce damaging or hurtful effects, physically or emotionally to any individual”.
An incident of bullying/racism includes any form of harassment which contravenes the schools equal opportunities philosophy.
Hurtful remarks can be made innocently but can still be hurtful to the recipient and so should be taken seriously.

Setting Standards

The values and beliefs underlying this Policy are to be considered in the context of the following statements:-
Regina Coeli School recognises that bullying and incidents of racism do take place and all reported incidents are taken seriously.
All bullying/racism is unacceptable, regardless of how it is delivered or what excuses are given to justify it.
The school recognises the detrimental effect on pupils and adults who may be subjected to bullying/racism.
Victims of bullying/racism will be treated in a supportive manner, rather than being regarded as a burden to staff and peer groups.
The school is committed to combating all bullying/racist behaviour.

Persons covered by this Policy

All pupils and adults whether permanently or temporarily on school premises will be expected to adhere to this policy.

Action to prevent bullying

To foster an understanding of the diversity of cultures which exist in our community and in our country today.
Circle time is one method amongst many that can be used to develop positive relationships between children and adults so that all feel valued as members of our school community. Encouraging pupils and adults to express their feelings and emotions is strongly encouraged.
By the adherence to the school ethos, policies and in particular the schools good behaviour policy.
By making all staff and pupils aware of the social and moral responsibility they have to each other by making it clear to all that harassment in any form is unacceptable.

Action to combat bullying

The school has established clear actions to challenge instances of bullying/racism within the school;

All staff are committed to reporting incidents of bullying / racism.
All incidents of perceived bullying / racism are taken very seriously - (if it is perceived by a child that he/she is being bullied then they are).
A clear action plan is agreed to avoid re-occurrence with both the bully and the bullied.
Parents, staff and pupil are fully involved and clear about the actions agreed.
Follow-up to check that the issue has not re-occurred

Sanctions against children who show signs of bullying behaviour are outlined in this policy and in the School Good Behaviour Policy.
Allocation of specific roles and responsibilities, both at staff and pupil level, in order that incidents may be detected, behaviour monitored, and appropriate support delivered. For example Year 6 pupils could be encouraged to take on a “Buddying” role towards younger pupils
Communication of the policy and periodic update in order that staff and pupils are continuously aware of the policy and also of their individual responsibilities.
Staff training to ensure that all responsibilities in respect of this policy can be delivered in a competent, caring and efficient manner.

Individual Responsibilities

It is important that pupils and parents recognise the difficulties which staff may encounter in ensuring that the purpose and intent of the Bullying Policy can be effectively introduced and enforced.

In this regard the pupils and parents are expected to:

Report all incidents of bullying using the procedures in place.
Act in a respectful and supportive manner to their peers, reporting any suspected incidents which the victim may be afraid to report.
Adhere to and promote the aims and objectives of this statement.
Refrain at all times from any behaviour which would constitute bullying/racism of fellow pupils/adults.

Parents too can play a vital role by:

Stressing to pupils the importance of sociable and appropriate behaviour.
Reporting any misgivings they have concerning either victims of perpetrators of bullying/racism to a member of the teaching staff.
Actively endorsing and supporting the school Bullying Policy.
Acting as a positive role model for children.
Encouraging a Christian response within their children, i.e. Not to hit back.

Dealing with incidents of bullying/racism

Any incident of bullying/racism will be recorded and passed to the Head Teacher, Deputy Headteacher or KS Leaders via the bullying /racism book. This book will be kept in the Deputy Head teacher’s office and the Deputy Headteacher will monitor entries in it weekly. The Deputy Headteacher will inform the Head of any racist incidents and of repeated entries.

All allegations of bullying/racism will be taken seriously. In accordance with DfES guidelines all racist incidents will be recorded and parents and governors will be made aware of the incident and the action taken to deal with it.

All adults and pupils need to know that reported incidents are taken seriously and dealt with. Incidents could be reported to any adult on the school staff (preferably the class teacher) or to visitors such as teacher training students. The adult concerned should make a dated record of the allegation in the Bullying/Racism Book and if appropriate the class teacher should be made aware of it.

Written records will be kept of all reported incidents in case they are needed in the future.

There will be a graded series of responses to such allegations.

First enquiry

Ascertain whether this behaviour is unusual or not and if it is out of character if there are any underlying circumstances. Is it PERSISTENT behaviour?
Ask the “bully” if they are aware of the distress that has been caused.
To ask the “bully” whether they intended to cause distress.
To ask the “bully” to reflect on how they expect to be treated and how they would feel if they were the victim.
This will help create an atmosphere in which the “bully” can admit that they have caused offence. At this stage many people prefer to use a no-blame approach as it focuses on how the bullied pupil can be helped to feel safe. Staff should also be aware that there may be reasons why children bully and an effort should be made to ascertain this.
If the perpetrator continues to deny responsibility.

Action

Pupils say what are acceptable ways of interacting / behaving. How they can ensure that the victim’s life is made more bearable in school. These decisions are agreed and reviewed. This can work well with a group.

If there are further incidents.

Don’t accept excuses.
A game is only a game if everyone enjoys it.
If it was an accident did they report it?
If it was for a laugh – who was laughing?

If an incident of bullying / racism is confirmed and an internal action plan is agreed it is important that parents are involved. A letter should be sent to the parents of the pupils involved outlining what happened, who was involved, action that has taken place and what will happen if further incidents occur. Parents will be strongly encouraged to discuss the issue with staff within the school.

If further incident occur

Set clear limits; re-state what the school’s expectations are.
Explain clearly what sanctions/actions will follow further incidents.
Wherever possible the adult dealing with this pupil should remain calm.

Show the pupil the record of the incident and ask them to sign it as this stresses the seriousness of it. Define the behaviour clearly (using legal terms such as slander, criminal damage if appropriate). A second letter will be sent to the parents of all the pupils involved, outlining what action has been taken and what will happen if further incidents occur.

If issues related to bullying take place and the pupil is on the SEN register for behaviour then meetings will be held with the SENCO to ensure clear passage of communication.

Sanctions if further incidents occur

Formal interview with parent.
Contractual agreement
Bully court of other peer response.
Temporary exclusion or lunch time exclusion.
Permanent exclusion.

If the child is a victim of bullying;

The child will inform the class teacher first.
If the bullying continues, Deputy Headteacher informed through bullying book,
If the bullying continues, Head Teacher is made aware.
If the bullying continues, the Governors will be made aware.

Evaluation Procedures

In order to assess the effectiveness of this policy, the following standards will be used as a means of measuring performance.

Variations in the number of reported incidents over a given period.
Individual incident returns.
Variation in the number of pupil days lost which are suspected to arise as a consequence of bullying.
Any marked improvement in academic performance which may be confidently regarded to have arisen due to the eradication of bullying behaviour.

Policy Ownership and Responsibilities

The policy will be updated and reviewed annually.

Ultimate responsibility for its introduction and implementation will rest with the governors and Headteacher. However it is important to remember that all staff, pupils and parents have an active part to play in the maintenance and development of this policy.