Oldfield Park Infants’ School

Anti Bullying Policy

At Oldfield Park Infants’ School we believe that all children deserve to be taught in a supportive, caring and safe environment. Good behaviour is actively promoted. Anti social behaviour including bullying is unacceptable.

The adults in our school community define bullying as :-

• Deliberately hurtful behaviour
• Behaviour that is often repeated over a period of time
• Behaviour that can make it difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves

Bullying can take many forms. The three main types are :

• Physical ~ hitting, kicking, pinching, gestures, taking belongings
• Verbal ~ name calling, insulting, making racist remarks, teasing
• Indirect ~ spreading nasty stories , exclusion from social groups

Bullying is a complicated issue and we recognise that where it arises both the bullied and the bully may need support. We also recognise that although a particular action may not appear to be bullying as described above, action will need to be taken when anyone perceives that they are being bullied.

We do ask that the whole school community takes care when using the term ‘bullying’ and that it is not used to describe the more everyday behaviour that occurs where groups of young children play together.

Anti Bullying Working Group July 2006

The children in our school think that bullying is :-

• Bullying is being unkind to other children.
• It is when other people’s feelings are hurt.
• It can be when people get over excited and do things they are not meant to.
• It can be teasing and trying to wind others up on purpose.
• Bullying is doing more things than just hurting someone once. Its when it happens lots of times.
• A bully can be any age.
• A bully could be copying other bullies.
• It is letting someone down.
• It can make people feel sad, unhappy, upset and unliked or scared and frightened.

School Council July 2006

Our school community is committed to :-

ü Discussing, monitoring and reviewing this anti bullying policy regularly

ü Supporting staff to identify and deal with bullying in an appropriate way

ü Educating children and adults about bullying and its effects

ü Ensuring that all children and adults are aware that their concerns will be dealt with sensitively and effectively

ü Learning from good practice and making use of support organisations when appropriate

How we create an anti bullying ethos and teach children and adults about bullying and its effects.

à Our whole school ethos is based upon respect for each other and an acceptance of differences.

à To help achieve this an emphasis is placed upon the role of Personal, Social and Health Education in school. We follow the SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) programme throughout the school and children learn to think about how their behaviour affects others.

à Our assemblies focus on the core values which we believe in as a school. These include honesty, caring and kindness, empathy, responsibility and trust.

à A specific Anti Bullying unit of work is taught annually and aspects of this reinforced as necessary. Children are taught strategies to help them deal with conflict including bullying. Staff development work takes place prior to the unit being taught.

à The school listens to children’s views and time is set aside for circle times and discussion relating to friendship and behaviour. Children and adults are encouraged to be open and honest about their feelings.

à We have produced an ‘Anti Bullying’ booklet for all children at the school. A copy is given to each family when their child starts here.

What happens if bullying is reported.

à Reports of bullying will always be taken seriously, investigated thoroughly and appropriate action taken.

à The exact way in which we respond to incidents of bullying will depend on the perceived seriousness of the situation, the type of bullying and the individuals involved. However, the emphasis will always be on a caring, listening approach. The school will always aim to handle such situations with sensitivity.

à We will talk and listen to the children involved to find out what has happened and why.

à We will always make it clear that bullying is not tolerated and that those who have reported it have done the right thing in telling someone and asking for help.

à An individual judgement will be made about the bully’s behaviour depending on the circumstances involved.

à Some or all of the sanctions in the school’s behaviour policy may be applied. In some cases additional sanctions may be required.

à Incidents of bullying are recorded in the Serious Incident Log which is kept in the head’s office.

à The parents of children involved will be informed of the school’s concerns and any action to be taken as soon as possible.

à Support will be given to the children involved (both the bullied and the bully) on an individual or group basis or as part of a whole class activity. For example, work may take place to raise individual self esteem, teach calming down strategies or develop appropriate social skills.

à The situation will be monitored to minimise the risk of further incidents.

à Clear expectations of future behaviour will be explained to the children involved. For example, playing under adult supervision, keeping away from another child.

The role of parents.

We recognise the role that parents play in this policy and ask them to :-

à Take an active interest in your child’s school day by asking how the day has gone, who they have played with etc. although we know that not all children chat readily about their day.

à Look out for unusual behaviour in your child, for example being unhappy about school beyond the normal ‘ups and downs’.

à If you feel that your child may be the victim of bullying behaviour please come in and discuss your concerns with us. Your views will be taken seriously and appropriate action will follow.

à Likewise if you feel that your child may be involved in behaviour that could be thought of as bullying please come in and discuss your concerns.

à If you think that a particular child has bullied your child, please do not approach that child or his/her parents. Please discuss your concerns with your child’s teacher or the head teacher.

à It is acceptable for children to stand up to bullies, however, the school cannot condone physical violence. In school the children are taught to deal with difficulty situations without using physical aggression.

à Tell your child that it is not their fault that they are being bullied and that you and other adults in school will help them. Tell your child that he/she has done the right thing to tell.

à Use the school’s ‘Don’t Bully Me’ booklet to talk about things that might help your child.

What children should do if they feel bullied.

à Tell an adult or a friend that they trust straight away.

à Remember that bullying is wrong.

à Stay with a group of friends or ask to stay with an adult.

à Stand up to the bully but don’t fight back.

We have produced a ‘Don’t Bully Me’ booklet for children to refer to which contains advice about how to be good friend and deal with bullying.

Policy written July 2006 by the Anti Bullying Working Group made up from staff, parents and governors.

Approved by the full governing body : July 2006