ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

 

Our school aims to prevent bullying incidents from happening.  In respect of this we has set up a committee which includes our PSCD teachers, our Guidance teachers, a male and a female member of staff and an LSA  together with the Assistant Head and the Head of School.  This committee meets regularly to ensure that each student feels safe at school.  We also have regular visits by the Anti-bullying Guidance teacher.

 

PURPOSE OF POLICY- To ensure that pupils learn in a supportive, caring, and safe environment without fear of being bullied and to redirect the bully’s behaviour.

Bullying is:

  • Antisocial behaviour and effects everyone.
  • Unacceptable and will not to be tolerated.
  • Deliberately hurtful behaviour, repeated over a period of time where it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves.
  • For An act to be considered as bullying it must be
  • Aimed to hurt
  • Repetitive
  • An Imbalance of power

Only when these elements are present can it be considered as bullying otherwise it is either a behaviour issue or a conflict between the two parts

Only when all issues of bullying are addressed, will students be able to benefit from the opportunities available at school.

 

TYPES OF BULLYING:

  • PHYSICAL: (hitting, kicking, theft, hair pulling).
  • VERBAL: (name calling, racist remarks, abusive language towards other gender)
  • INDIRECT:(spreading rumours, excluding peers from social groups).
  • Sexual: (not accepting students with a different  sexual orientation)
  • Cyber : (Via social media, mobile…etc)

 

Students being bullied may show changes in behaviour, such as becoming shy and nervous, feigning illness (pretending to be ill), taking unusual absences or clinging to adults.  There may be evidence of changes in work progress, lack of concentration or truancy from school. Students must be encouraged to report bullying and are ensured full support from the guidance teachers and Head /Assistant Heads.

 

SCHOOLS’ TEACHING AND ANCILLARY STAFF are alert to signs of bullying and act promptly and firmly against it, in accordance to school policy.

 

Parents are held responsible for the use of social media after school hours: The school guidance team may offer guidance as to what steps are to be taken however the school does not take any step in such situations.

 

ACTION TAKEN BY THE SCHOOL:

  • The incident will be dealt with immediately by the member of staff approached.
  • A clear account of the incident is recorded in the student’s Report Book.
  • Members of the administration and anti-bullying team (including guidance teachers) will question all concerned.
  • Form teacher and the appropriate subject teacher will be informed and advised.
  • Corrective measures will be used as appropriate and in consultation with all parties concerned.
  • Bullies will be corrected using the non-blaming approach and restorative justice to redirect their behaviour.  Here the students will be guided to think about their action and come up with a way to make up for the harm caused by their actions.
  • All the necessary students’ counselling and students’ guidance provided by the College.

 

 

ACTIONS TAKEN IN RESPECT OF THE VICTIM-

He/She will be supported by:

  • Offering an immediate opportunity to discuss the experience.
  • Reassuring the student.
  • Offering continuous support.
  • Restoring self-esteem and confidence.
  • Guidance and Counselling.

 

ACTIONS TAKEN IN RESPECT OF THE BULLIES-

  • Bullies will be corrected with the help of guidance teachers or counsellors using the non-blaming approach to redirect their behaviour.
  • Discussing what happened.
  • Discovering why the student became involved.
  • Establishing the wrong doing that needs to change.
  • Informing parents of the incident (when appropriate) by means of a letter.
  • Asking parents to help change the attitude of the students.

 

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS – According to the case, disciplinary action may be taken:

  • Official warnings to cease offending.
  • Break Detention.
  • Exclusion from certain areas of the school.
  • Internal Exclusion.
  • Exclusion from school.
  • If offence has happened on school transport, student may lose the right to use school transport for a stipulated time as deemed appropriate.

 

Should you feel that your child is going through a bullying experience do not hesitate to contact our designated member of staff on tel No: 21454103/79454103