What is Bullying?
‘The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or online.’
ANTI-BULLYING ALLIANCE
Definition of bullying
Bullying behaviour can be:
- Physical – pushing, poking, kicking, hitting, biting, pinching etc.
- Verbal - name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, threats, teasing, belittling.
- Emotional – isolating others, tormenting, hiding books, threatening gestures, ridicule, humiliation, intimidating, excluding, manipulation and coercion.
- Sexual – unwanted physical contact, inappropriate touching, abusive comments, homophobic abuse, exposure to inappropriate films etc.
- Online /cyber – posting on social media, sharing photos, sending nasty text messages, social exclusion.
- Indirect - Can include the exploitation of individuals.
Many of these types of bullying can take place in the online environment and this is known as “CYBER BULLYING” e.g. Misuse of all areas of the Internet, inappropriate messaging and emailing, sending offensive or degrading images by phone or via the Internet, misuse of any social media.
If there are any serious offences reported this information may be given to other agencies to assist in helping you with your problem. For advice on cyberbullying go to the following website: http://ceop.police.uk/
The effects of bullying
Bullying behaviour can have devastating effects on a person which can last into adulthood. At its worst, being bullied has driven children and young people to self-harm and even suicide.
Those who are bullied may:
- Feel disconnected from school and not want to attend
- Have lower academic outcomes, including lower attendance
- Lack quality friendships at school
- Display high levels of emotion that indicate vulnerability and low levels of resilience
- Avoid conflict and be socially withdrawn
- Have low self-esteem
- Become depressed, anxious and lonely
- Have nightmares
- Feel wary or suspicious of others
- In extreme cases, have a higher risk of self-harm and/or suicide
People who display bullying behaviour towards others may:
- Display high levels of aggressive behaviour which can impact on their future
- Struggle to develop and maintain effective relationships
- Have difficulty integrating into education settings or the workplace
- Have low self-esteem
- Have difficulty understanding boundaries and limits
Those who witness bullying behaviour may:
- Be reluctant to attend school
- Feel fearful, scared and guilty for not doing anything
- Experience pressure to participate in the bullying
- Become anxious and worried
Prevent, Protect and Support at Madeley School
As a school, we have a legal duty of care towards our students and a responsibility to prevent bullying behaviour amongst them.
We have a behaviour policy that outlines measures to encourage good behaviour in school. We also have a separate anti-bullying policy, which sets out how bullying behaviour is reported, recorded and what action will be taken.
It is our experience that this is best achieved by embedding anti-bullying across the curriculum and the work we do across school, through a framework of effective policies and routes for reporting bullying behaviour. We do this by:
- All our staff regularly undertake training on bulling behaviour in schools and child on child abuse, as part of our schools continued professional development.
- During PSHCE sessions, PD days, morning registration and assemblies, we discuss what bullying behaviour looks like, explore the effects and how to report and tackle bulling behaviour. We openly discuss differences between people that could motivate bullying behaviour, such as religion, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexuality or appearance related difference. Also, children with different family situations, such as looked after children or those with caring responsibilities.
- We have a range of information screens around the school corridors which display reminders of where to access support if needed.
- We participate in National Anti-Bullying Week and awareness days, where students in all year groups undertake a range of activities, some of which from outside agencies or guest speakers.
- We display information about bullying behaviour and support in key areas of school.
- We share information with parents and carers about bullying behaviour, how to report and where to access support.
- We have a strong pastoral team who mentor, coach and support students who experience, display or witness bullying behaviour.
- Where necessary we use specific organisations or resources for help with problems students may be facing.
- We implement disciplinary sanctions. The consequences of bullying behaviour reflect the seriousness of the incident so that others see that this behaviour is unacceptable.
As part of our school culture and core values we promote respect, inclusion and dignity for everyone. Staff build strong, supportive relationships with students, support students in developing positive peer relationships and are role models to show what this looks like.
As a school we have clear expectations for behaviour, which is outlined in our behaviour policy. All staff have responsibility, with the support of the Leadership Team, for creating a high quality, proud and respectful learning environment, teaching good, positive behaviour, having high expectations and aspirations of what pupils can achieve and implementing the agreed policy and procedures consistently.
Anti-bullying Policies
Bullying behaviour which occurs outside school premises
School staff members have the power to discipline pupils for misbehaving outside the school premises. Sections 90 and 91 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 say that a school’s disciplinary powers can be used to address pupils’ conduct when they are not on school premises and are not under the lawful control or charge of a member of school staff, but only if it would be reasonable for the school to regulate pupils’ behaviour in those circumstances. This may include bullying incidents occurring anywhere off the school premises, such as on school or public transport, outside the local shops, or in a town or village centre.
Where bullying outside school is reported to school staff, it should be investigated and acted on. The headteacher should also consider whether it is appropriate to notify the police or anti-social behaviour coordinator in their local authority of the action taken against a pupil. If the misbehaviour could be criminal or poses a serious threat to a member of the public, the police should always be informed.
While school staff members have the power to discipline pupils for bullying that occurs outside school, they can only impose the disciplinary sanction and implement that sanction on the school premises or when the pupil is under the lawful control of school staff, for instance on a school trip.
DFE: Preventing and tackling bullying July 2017
How to report bullying behaviour
Students can talk or email a trusted member of staff in school. They can also report their concern via MyVoice: https://www.thesafeguardingcompany.com/myvoice/
This will inform the safeguarding team in school.
Parents and carers can contact a member of our pastoral and safeguarding team in school, you can do this by:
- telephoning the school 01782 987800
- emailing a member of the team:
Head of Year:
- Head of Year 7: hayley.drohan@madeley.set.org
- Head of Year 8: phil.dale@madeley.set.org
- Head of Year 9: steve.walker@madeley.set.org
- Head of Year 10: elliott.flemming@madeley.set.org
- Head of Year 11: sara.halstead@madeley.set.org
- Pastoral support: jeanette.carter@madeley.set.org
Safeguarding:
- Mrs S Halstead: sara.halstead@madeley.set.org
- Ms E Boustead: emma.boustead@madeley.set.org
- Mrs A Skelding: alexa.skelding@madeley.set.org
- Mr L Royal: lee.royal@madeley.set.org
Support outside of school
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National Bullying Helpline |
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Anti-Bullying Alliance Advice and support materials for parents, carers and children to keep children safe from bullying behaviour. Advice for parents and carers (anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk) |
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Young Minds Advice for parents, carers and children to keep children safe from bullying. |
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A counselling service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday in the UK provided by the NSPCC. |
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NSPCC Advice for parents, carers and children to keep children safe from bullying. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/bullying-and-cyberbullying/ |
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