Richmond School
Policy | Policy List | Anti Bullying Policy
STATEMENT OF THE SCHOOL ETHOS
This School believes that everybody should be appreciated and valued for who and what they are. (See Code of Conduct.)
DEFINITION OF BULLYING
Bullying can take many forms. It can be physical, mental, verbal and can be done by an individual or a group.
WHAT IS BULLYING?
Any behaviour that makes you feel threatened, uneasy, or unhappy is bullying.
WHO?
Anyone can be a bully and anybody can be bullied.
WHERE AND WHEN?
Bullying can take place anywhere, from buses to the school grounds and at anytime.
WHAT BULLYING CAN DO?
Bullying can:
• Make people very unhappy;
• Make people feel bad about themselves;
• Affect school work;
• Affect home life;
• Make people hurt themselves or others;
WHO MIGHT SEE BULLYING TAKE PLACE IN SCHOOL?
Everybody involved with the school might see bullying take place. Students, bus drivers, lunchtime supervisors, teachers, and prefects all have a part to play in preventing bullying behaviour and making Richmond School a SAFE and SECURE environment for everyone.
It is important that incidents are dealt with either immediately or at the earliest opportunity. All incidents should be recorded and those involved helped.
RESPONSE TO BULLYING
Cases of bullying will not be ignored and will be dealt with quickly. The victim will be treated sympathetically and the situation will be considered constructively. We favour an approach by which the bully and by-standers will be involved in finding positive solutions to the victim’s unhappiness. The strategies are reviewed after an agreed time period. If the bully has made no attempt to modify his/her behaviour, s/he will receive one-to-one counselling and parents of both parties should be involved. For students, if constructive punishments, such as performing useful tasks around the school fail, then exclusion is a possible course of action.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE BULLIED AND WHO TO TURN TO
If you are bullied, you can talk to a friend, a member of your family, a teacher or someone else whom you trust. You could also telephone a telephone counselling service such as CHILDLINE Call 0800 11 11.
WHAT PARENTS SHOULD DO IF THEIR CHILD IS A BULLY OR A VICTIM
Observe unusual behaviour and talk to your child. Suggest solutions that are suitable to the circumstances. If you are concerned, alert the school through the Tutor or Head of Year.
Training implications for staff.
In service training for all staff to ensure a whole school approach.
WHO DEVELOPED THE POLICY?
This policy was started and developed by a group of volunteers under the umbrella of the Equal Opportunities Group by students in years 7 to 13 and Richmond School staff including a Head of School, Head of Year, the Youth Community Tutor, two Lunchtime Supervisors, a representative from the Administrative Team, a School Governor, and the Education Welfare Co-ordinator.
REVIEW AND PROMOTION OF THE POLICY
This first policy will be updated annually but student councils will be asked to discuss ideas and to monitor the system set up by the Anti-Bullying Group and to report to the Equal Opportunities Group that meets three times a year.
CHILDLINE is a free and confidential service offered for children in distress. Call 08001111
GUIDELINES FOR STAFF
Child Abuse - If you discover or suspect that a child is being abused at home or at school, follow the Child Protection Procedures in the Staff Handbook (6.9 Pale Pink)
ANTI-HARASSMENT SUPPORT
If you are receiving unwanted, unreasonable and offensive behaviour, or if you are accused of such behaviour, you may:
• take your complaints through the formal procedure
• contact the Anti-Harassment Support Network, provided by North Yorkshire for all County Council staff. Tel. 01969 780780, ext. 2807. It is open 9:00am-1:00pm on weekdays
• consult your union representative
Review: October 2007
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