Anti-Bullying
Anti-Bullying Poster – EYFS – Y2
Anti-Bullying Poster – Y3 – Y6
Preventing bullying
At Filton Avenue Primary School, we believe that our anti-bullying procedures should not start at the point at which a child has been bullied. We proactively gather information about issues between pupils which might provoke conflict and develop strategies to prevent bullying occurring in the first place. This might involve talking to pupils about issues of difference, perhaps in lessons, through dedicated events or projects, or through assemblies. Staff themselves will be able to determine what will work best for their pupils, depending on the particular issues they need to address.
The DfE recognises that schools which excel at tackling bullying have created an ethos of good behaviour where pupils treat one another and the school staff with respect because they know that this is the right way to behave. Our school values of CARE (Collaboration, Aspiration, Respect and Endeavour) and a clear understanding of how our actions affect others permeate the whole school environment. These values are reinforced by staff (See Behaviour Policy).
We also take a proactive approach to preventing bullying, by:
- promoting an inclusive ethos in our school
- building a shared understanding of the signs and symptoms that indicate someone may be experiencing bullying
- showing zero tolerance for offensive language or comments
- providing clear guidance for staff and pupils on appropriate physical boundaries and education for all ages on consensual touch through PSHE lessons
- the creation of safe spaces at break and lunch times for children who may feel lonely or isolated.
- educating staff, children and parents about bullying issues and the action they can take to stop bullying (e.g., curriculum content, parent and carer events, staff training, participation in Anti-Bullying Week)
- regular inclusion of bullying issues in assemblies and class time
- displaying safeguarding team around the school so all children know staff who can help if they are worried about something
- encouraging and supporting OPALs to be alerted to bullying behaviour and be there to help other pupils
Reporting bullying and procedures
All bullying incidents should be reported to a trusted adult within school. This could be a teaching assistant, a class teacher or a member of the leadership or pastoral team. (My Voice boxes are available if a child does not want to voice a concern out loud).
Parents can report any concerns they have to any adult within school or directly to the designated safeguarding lead, Sarah Stefanini, who will always be notified of all incidents that involve bullying behaviours, either directly or by the staff remember receiving the report.
Any reports of incidents or observed incidents will be recorded by members of staff on CPOMs and the Designated Safeguarding Lead will be alerted on the same working day. If online bullying has occurred copies of the bullying will be attached.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead or another nominated member of the leadership or pastoral team will speak to child who is being bullied and contact their parents by end of next working day to discuss investigation, timescales, how they would like to proceed and any immediate safety planning (if appropriate).
If necessary and appropriate, police and/or social services will be consulted.
The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying will be investigated, and a suitable response decided by the Designated Safeguarding Lead and any investigating staff. This will be recorded on CPOMS and communicated with all stakeholders.
Agreed interventions will be carried out quickly to support the victim and help the bully to change their behaviour. Agreed interventions may include a consequence for the child bullying where appropriate and higher levels of monitoring of the relationship.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead and/or other nominated member of the leadership or pastoral team will review the response in the short term, assess ongoing risks and communicate with children and parents of those involved about any next steps.
If parents and carers are not satisfied that the bullying is being dealt with appropriately, they should follow our school’s complaints procedure. (See Complaints Policy)
Responding to bullying
If bullying is identified, there will be clear communication with the children involved and the parents and carers of all parties, including safety plans where necessary and dates for their review
The response to bullying may include:
- creating safe, confidential spaces for pupils and parents and carers to share their experiences and concerns with a focus on the impact the behaviour is having and the help they need from you to make the bullying stop
- mental health and emotional wellbeing support for both the victim and the perpetrator
- referral to external agencies to provide more specialist support or mentoring
- the use of restorative approaches
- the use of home / school communication books
- monitoring by pastoral team
- additional support for the children involved (e.g. assertiveness workshops, counselling, behaviour management support, referral to CAMHs)
- Working with bystanders – explaining the role of the bystander and the ways we can take positive action if we witness or hear of a bullying situation
- peer support/peer mentoring
- disciplinary action, which may include:
- The child who has displayed bullying behaviour may be asked to genuinely apologise, and other consequences, such as those in our behaviour policy, may be applied
- Involvement of external agencies e.g. police/ children’s services (e.g. when a child is harmed, when there are threats of harm, when illegal content has been shared online etc)
- Use of a behaviour contract e.g. report card
- Regular liaison with parent/carer/social worker
- In serious cases, suspension or even exclusion will be considered
- All parties will be challenged and may be sanctioned for false accusations where there is sufficient evidence that events did not occur.
After the incident/incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not take place.
Bullying rarely takes place in isolation so we will always consider the involvement of the wider peer group and additional work we may need to do to reinforce the school’s position on bullying or to explore different aspects of bullying with the peer group.
