Bullying policy:

BATTERSEA PARK SCHOOL

“Building a Community where Learning is for everyone”
 
 
POLICY ON: Anti – Bullying
 
AIM:

Everyone at BPS has the right to feel welcome, secure and happy, free from intimidation both inside and outside the classroom.  Only if this is thehttp://www.batterseaparkschool.org/administrator/index.php?option=com_contenthttp://www.batterseaparkschool.org/administrator/index.php?option=com_content   case will all members of the school community be able to achieve at their full potential.  Bullying of any sort prevents this happening and prevents equality of opportunity.
 

Where bullying exists the victims must feel confident to use the anti-bullying systems within the school outlined in this policy.  We aim to challenge attitudes about bullying behaviour and build an inclusive anti-bullying ethos in all aspects of school life.

PRINCIPLES:
BPS is committed to

• Zero tolerance of bullying.
• A programme of education where all students are encouraged to develop respect for themselves and others.
• Promoting guidelines for all staff which are clear and consistent.
• Implementing a structured disciplinary system which is understood by all students and staff.
• Developing a system which supports both victim and bully.
• Recognising that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed and that parental contact may be needed for both bully and victim.
• Recognising that a student may report to any adult within the school, knowing that this will be treated fairly and with respect.
• Recognising that acts of bullying are a serious matter and will be dealt with as such.

Recognising that serious incidents of bullying may result in other agencies being involved.
Working towards a “no-blame” approach to resolution of bullying situations, where appropriate.Definitions
 

 
·         Bullying can be physical, emotional or verbal. When carried out wilfully and frequently bullying can make one person or a group of people feel threatened or fearful.
·         Bullying deliberately aims to hurt, either physically or mentally another individual
·         Bullying forces another individual to do something against his/her will.
·         Anti-bullying is central to the spiritual, moral and cultural ethos of the school.

Types of Bullying
Gesture      this may include dirty looks, blanking, offensive or intimidating gestures.
Verbal         may include cussing, name calling, threats and spreading rumours.Physical      may include violent behaviour towards another student or their. property.
Extortion    forcing a victim to give up money or possessions, or to buy or acquire food or other items for the bully.
Exclusion    the deliberate exclusion of another student from a group, deliberately making them feel unwanted.
Written       passing of notes and other negative textual communication, including the use of abusive mobile phone text messaging or e-mail.

PRACTICE:
A Proactive Approach to Prevent Bullying
 
·         Open Evenings, Induction Days for students and parent interviews are all forums where potential students and their parents will be made aware of the school ethos and stance about bullying.
·         The Student Council has an open agenda where bullying may be itemised.
·         Throughout the year assembly themes address the implications of bullying: citizenship and tolerance are promoted.
·         Tutor periods reinforce the School’s attitudes towards bullying, giving opportunities for strategies such as circle time.
·         PSHE gives students the opportunity to discuss bullying and its consequences, investigating the attitudes of both bullies and victims – this includes the completion of a questionnaire and an opportunity to use the “Event Mapper” to plot areas of the school where they feel vulnerable.
·         Students are encouraged to report all acts of bullying.
·         Parents are informed of the procedure for reporting bullying.

·         A drop-in zone is established in the School library to discuss problems including a confidential mailbox for students.

·         Peer counselling for both victims and bullies established.
 

An audit of staff views about bullying has been taken by members of the BIP team  and the findings of this will provide a basis for discussion in the next stages of development of this policy.
 

Where an act of Bullying is reported –
 

Golden Rule: deal with bullying as soon as it is known about – all incidents of bullying must be taken seriously.
 

·         Whichever adult this is reported to should complete an Incident Report Form. At this point the adult may choose to offer a range of strategies or take action in line with the School referral procedures for general behaviour issues.
·         The Incident Report Form should then be passed to the Head of Year and a copy of the form placed in the students file.
·         The Head of Year will then review the incident and discuss with their Line Manager ways of dealing with the incident.
·         Where racial discrimination or hatred is identified as part of the incident – a racial incident form should also be completed in the usual way.
 

General steps –
Exceptions will be made where the incident needs more urgent investigation, when action will proceed on verbal investigation. At any rate, the person in charge of the investigation will:
·         Gather information in writing from reliable sources.
·          Investigate.
·         Establish facts.
·         Establish witnesses.
·         Interview witnesses.
·         Promote trust in the victim.
·         Interview bully(ies).
·         Issue warnings to bully(ies) not to engage in further bullying.
·         Inform parents of bully.
·         Ensure that the victim is aware of the procedures taken.
·         Administer appropriate sanctions.
·         The School behaviour/discipline procedures will be used if no improvement is made: offenders may be excluded.
·         Confidentiality of the victim cannot be guaranteed particularly if in the professional judgement of the HOY, parents of both victim and bully need to be contacted, or external agencies need to be consulted.