Christs School Anti Bullying Policy Christs School Mission statement underpins all our beliefs and practice

with regard to bullying and the aim to ensure that our community is a safe learning environment for all of our pupils.

As a Church of England school our mission is to be one where each individual is valued and respected. We meet the needs of all our learners by offering them every opportunity to learn and develop in order to fulfil their potential. We will celebrate our skills, talents and successes within a community founded upon Christian values. Statement of Intent We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our pupils so they can learn in a positive and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our school. If bullying does occur, all pupils should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING school. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening will able to tell staff. As a school we will aim to respond promptly and effectively to all issues of bullying. Objectives of this Policy To ensure that all governors, teaching and non-teaching staff, pupils and parents have an understanding of what bullying is. To ensure that all governors and teaching and non-teaching staff know what the school procedure is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported. To ensure that all pupils and parents know what the school policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.

To ensure that as a school we take bullying seriously. Pupils and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported. To ensure that bullying is never tolerated. What Is Bullying? Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim. Bullying can be: Emotional being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding books, threatening gestures) Physical pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence; Racist racial taunts, graffiti, gestures Sexual unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments; Homophobic because of, or focussing on the issue of sexuality Verbal name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing Cyber All areas of internet ,such as email & internet chat room misuse; mobile threats by text messaging & calls; misuse of associated technology , i.e. camera &video facilities

Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying? Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Pupils who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving. Signs and Symptoms A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child: is frightened of walking to or from school doesn't want to go on the school / public bus begs to be driven to school changes their usual routine is unwilling to go to school (school phobic) begins to truant becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence starts stammering attempts or threatens suicide or runs away cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares feels ill in the morning begins to do poorly in school work comes home with clothes torn or books damaged has possessions which are damaged or " go missing" asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay bully) has dinner or other monies continually "lost" has unexplained cuts or bruises

comes home starving (money / lunch has been stolen) becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable is bullying other children or siblings stops eating is frightened to say what's wrong gives improbable excuses for any of the above is afraid to use the internet or mobile phone is nervous & jumpy when a cyber message is received

These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated Procedures Initial intervention: 1. Pupil/parent reports an incidence of bullying to a member staff. 2. The member of staff should make it clear to the victim that revenge is not the solution. 3. The member of staff will record the details of the incident and discuss it with the pupil to ensure accuracy. 4. The bullying behaviour or threats will be investigated. 5. Witness statements may be taken from other pupils. 6. Every effort will be made to resolve the problem through counselling of both parties. 7. A restorative meeting will take place between the pupils involved so that the both pupils can understand the behaviour. The outcome will include agreed strategies for ensuring there is no further occurrence of bullying and to improve the working relationship between the individuals involved. 8. Following the restorative meeting a contract of behaviours may be put into place to support both the victim and the pupil(s) leading the bullying. 9. In all cases parents will be informed and there will be an opportunity to discuss the problem. 10. Actions will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour. 11. A review meeting with take place to assess how successful initial intervention has been and to decide whether any further action needs to be taken. Further intervention 12. If there is no significant change in behaviour of the bully a further restorative meeting will be arranged. The outcome will include a contract of behaviour. 13. Parents will be updated regarding interventions and will be informed of future actions which may need to put into place. 14. Further actions will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour. This will include the bully being placed on HOY report to monitor interactions both within the classroom and external setting. 15. If the bullying behaviour continues, and counselling has not worked, then sanctions follow. Using the school BFL policy appropriate sanctions will be applied to the bully and if necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted. 16. It is important that counselling is maintained for both parties, even when sanctions have been applied.

Outcomes

1) The bully (bullies) will be asked to genuinely apologise and must engage in the restorative process with the victim(s) in order to reconcile the pupils. 2) Appropriate consequences will also be put into place to sanction the behaviour and to educate the bully regarding appropriate behaviours. In serious cases, suspension or even exclusion will be considered 3) After the incident / incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not take place.

Encouragement to tell Our ethos as a Church of England schools aims create an atmosphere in the school where students who are being bullied, or others who know about it, know that they will be listened to and believed, and that action taken will be swift but sensitive to their concerns. We must ensure that pupils feel safe to tell and understand that by not telling the bully or bullies are protected and gives them the message that they can continue, perhaps bullying others too.

Information for students If you are being bullied, or you know that someone else is, please tell us straight away, and it will be dealt with. Not telling means the victim will continue to suffer and the bully will carry on, probably with others too. We all have a responsibility to make sure that bullying is not allowed to continue in our school. Information for parents If you think your son/daughter may be being bullied, or s/he tells you that s/he is, please let us know straight away. Please reassure him/her that we will deal with it sensitively but firmly. If your son/daughter tells us s/he is being bullied, or we discover that s/he is bullying others, we will contact you, and will discuss together how the situation can be improved.

This policy was updated in January 2012