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MCHS Anti-Bullying Policy
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MORECAMBE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Specialist College for Maths and Computing
ANTI BULLYING POLICY
June 2010
To be reviewed June 2011
Approved by Governors 17th
May 2010
MORECAMBE HIGH SCHOOL
ANTI-BULLYING POLICY
Key Teacher:
Andrew Armitstead (Lead Teacher Behaviour)
Contributors:
Ailsa Bunch (Learning Mentor),
Sue Boswell (Poulton Neighbourhood Management),
The Summer 2007 Diana Award Winners
Contents
• Background
• Law and Guidance
• The Policy
• Recording and Reporting
• Complaints Process
• School Sanctions
• Managing Incidents
• Prevention and Intervention
• School Reviews
• Monitoring and Implementation
• Anti-cyber Bullying
• References
• Summary sheet for planners
• Appendices
BACKGROUND
Morecambe Community High School is a typical school in that it deals with the issues
of over 1,000 students. It is inevitable that in such an environment, situations will
arise where students are made to feel uncomfortable by the actions of other students.
Our approach is to encourage an atmosphere where students are not afraid to talk
about problems and to devise strategies to address these problems for all involved
parties.
In 2005, a group of Year 9 students formed and Anti-Bullying Club, the ABC. They
provided support for students in need by enabling them to talk about problems and
feelings. Any incidents deemed to be of a serious nature were forwarded to the
relevant Head of Year. An important role was established through Poulton
Neighbourhood Management whereby a group of students would visit our two closest
primary schools to re-assure Year 6s about transition. The group were trained as
mentors and received a Red Rose Award for their efforts. Their efforts were
continued by a subsequent group who offered a similar service, having been trained in
mentoring at the local Fire Station
This impetus was continued in grand style by the next Anti-Bullying group who
thoroughly deserved the honour of becoming our first ever Diana Award winners in
the summer of 2006. These students became part of the peer mentoring programme,
visited primary schools, wrote and performed an anti-bullying play and organised the
anti-bullying week in November 2005. They represented the school with distinction
at a London conference for Diana Award holders in March 2007 and have been
accepted on a World Leaders programme next year.
The current group has emerged from the peer mentors and they have been rewarded
for their efforts with individual students by achieving the Diana Award for the second
year in a row. It is this group who have played a major role in developing this policy
document.
LAW AND GUIDANCE
“Schools must by law have a policy to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils”
(Bullying – don’t suffer in silence – 2000)
Headteachers have a responsibility to “encourage good behaviour and respect for
others on the part of pupils and, in particular, prevent all forms of bullying among
pupils”.
The measures taken to ensure this “shall be publicised in the form of a written
document as follows-
(a) he shall make the measures generally known within the school and to the
parents of registered pupils at the school;
(b) he shall, in particular, at least once in every school year, take steps to bring
them to the attention of all such pupils and parents and all persons employed,
or otherwise engaged to provide their services, at the school.”
(School Standards and Framework Act, 1998)
The Governing body also needs to be fully aware of the school’s anti-bullying policy
and it should monitor bullying within the school. Good practice would be to have a
committee or single governor responsible for anti-bullying.
Broadly speaking, the policy applies to all occasions where students are in school
uniform. This includes school trips, residentials and travel to and from school. To
ensure the safety of students travelling to and from school senior staff and a
Community Police Support Officer patrol the close surroundings of the school in the
mornings and afternoons.
Incidents that occur either on the way or on the way home from school will be dealt
with by the school in line with the anti bullying policy.
A summary of the policy is included in student planners.
THE POLICY
Definition of bullying
“Behaviour by an individual or group usually repeated over time, that intentionally
hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally”
Bullying is:
• Deliberately hurtful with a clear intention of harming another
• Repeated over a period of time
• Difficult for victims to defend against
The three main types are:
• Physical – e.g. hitting, kicking or taking things
• Verbal – e.g. name calling, insulting of friends or family
• Indirect – e.g. spreading rumours, excluding, e-mail, text or any other form of
cyber bullying
The most common is name calling for a variety of reasons including ethnic origin,
appearance, disability or sexual orientation.
“It is the aim of the school community to promote an environment where all
individuals are valued and where bullying is viewed as an unacceptable way to
behave. Members of the school community are able to recognise bullying and are
prepared to take appropriate action. Pupils who have been bullied feel they can talk to
someone, witnesses of bullying feel they can take action and bullies will be helped to
address the reasons for their behaviour or be prepared to suffer the consequences if
they fail to change. Members of the school community have the right to feel safe in
and around school.”
The policy exists to deal with bullying at all levels, that is
• Children bullying other children
• Adults bullying adults
• Adults bullying children
• Children bullying adults
Procedure
• TELL – an adult in school, a peer mentor or another pupil
• RECORD – use the bully report form and give it to a teacher
• SUSTANTIATE – report is investigated by the relevant Head of House
• ACTION TAKEN – by Head of House, Key Teacher or SMT
• SUPPORT – for all involved parties through pastoral system and peer mentors
Reporting and recording
Members of the school community are encouraged to report incidents of bullying
either verbally or through the use of the Incident of Bullying Report. Bullying is
usually reported directly to Heads of House or Year but may also be referred to any
adult in the school or student support groups.
Where there is evidence of severe and/or persistent bullying, Heads of House or Year
will record this on a separate form and inform parents of their actions throughout the
process. The Heads of House or Year will contact parents where necessary and not
for incidents that can be easily dealt with in school. The decision whether or not to
contact parents rests with the Heads of House and Year.
Where there is an instance of clear bullying, Heads of House and Year open up
regular communication channels with parents and monitor the process. This will
involve a minimum of one follow up phone call after a period of two to three weeks.
Complaints process
It is the aim of the school to resolve all bullying related issues in the best interests of
all concerned. If, however, a parent is not satisfied by the response of the school they
should contact the Head of House or Year in the first instance then the senior teacher
responsible for anti bullying. If they are still unsatisfied then contact should be made
with the Chair of Governors.
School sanctions
The school has a range of sanctions available to deal with bullying behaviour. These
range from lunch and break time detentions to internal isolation. The school has the
power to permanently exclude students who repeatedly intimidate and endanger
others. It is important to remember that each case of bullying will be judged on its
individual nature and the power of sanction lies with the Head of House or Year.
MANAGING INCIDENTS
If, at any point, a teacher suspects there may be child protection issues this must
immediately be referred to one of the Child Protection Officers, Alison Halhead,
Alex Cooper, Ailsa Bunch or Seb Ip.
“A large part of the success of a school’s anti-bullying policy is the vigilance and
observations of the adults concerned. The swift response to a cause for concern may
well find solutions to problems that may otherwise become distressing for the child.”
(Keeping TABS – Lancashire County Council 2004)
Once an allegation of bullying has been made it should be dealt with as soon as
possible.
• Never ignore claims of bullying
• Do not make assumptions
• Listen carefully to all accounts
• Inform Head of House/Year immediately
• Follow up
Heads of House will play the key role in the investigation of and response to incidents
of bullying.
Investigation
1. Carefully read the bully report form
2. Speak to the victim to clarify the claim and ask them what they fell should
happen next
3. Where possible, ensure the pupil is supported during the rest of the day
4. Interview witnesses and others to gain a clear picture of what has occurred
5. Make a decision as to the merits and severity of the incident
6. Select an appropriate way of resolving the issue
Response
1. If there is a genuine concern for pupil safety then the pupil should be taken to
a safe place
2. Using teaching skills and prior knowledge of the pupils, resolve the problem
with the accused in the best way possible. The aim is to make the bullying
stop and ensure there are no recriminations.
3. If necessary, contact parents of both the bully and victim
4. The use of sanctions should be considered very carefully as the aim is to stop
the bullying not make it worse. Exclusion should only be considered in the
most extreme of cases
5. It may also be necessary to inform teachers of the pupils involved so they too
can remain vigilant
6. Monitor both the victim and the bully
All parts of the investigation and response process must be recorded, logged in
the files of the pupils involved and passed on to the relevant Head of House or
Year. There is a central file available to record all bullying incidents.
INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION
Intervention techniques
• Peer mentoring
• CLASS focus on bullying
• Bullying part of SEAL
• Annual Anti-Bullying week in November
Intervention
• Two Diana Award holders groups exist in school
• Peer mentoring run by Ailsa Bunch, Learning Mentor, includes over forty
students who offer guidance and support to their younger peers.
• Anger Management sessions run through the LINC
• Nurture groups run through the LINC
• Counselling offered in the LINC by experienced staff
• Work with Poulton Neighbourhood Management with Morecambe Bay and
Poulton-le-Sands primary schools
Prevention
• The school is a caring school that is welcoming and friendly; has good
systems of communications and enjoys positive relationships.
• The school has a Key Teacher for anti-bullying, Mr.A.Armitstead, who is
available during registration each day.
• Heads of House and Transition have access to the Key Teacher for anti-
bullying to help in all dealings with bullying behaviour
• Pupils, parents and other adults within the school are fully aware of the anti-
bullying ethos of the school and have the opportunity to be fully involved in
the evolution of anti-bullying.
• Pupils from local primary schools are supported in Year 6 through the
transition phase by the school’s anti-bullying club.
• SEAL has a focus on anti-bullying
• The Year 7 CLASS programme contains material on bullying
• The school runs an anti-bullying week in November
• Subjects are encouraged to adopt an anti-bullying theme during this week
• Assemblies are delivered on anti-bullying by the Heads of House and SMT
Diana Award holders
In school we are very fortunate to have had numerous student groups who have
received the Princess Diana Anti Bullying Award. These students play a major role in
the peer mentoring programme and often become Seniors. The peer mentors offer a
drop in support service for students who are struggling to settle in school and the
Seniors work with Year 7 students, offering guidance and support. The Diana Award
holders also organise anti bullying week, deliver assemblies and offer extra support
for our most vulnerable students.
Many thanks must go to all the pupils who have been involved in the school’s anti-
bullying initiatives but in particular to our first Diana Award winners,
• Kirsty Thomson
• Carey Winder
• Sadie Spence
• Katie Barlow
• Ben Philburn
• John Rogerson.
The students involved in the production of this policy were
• Beth Troumans
• Beth Hobbs
• Sophie Ward
• Kathryn Senior
• Jay Murray
• Becky Wilson
• Tamla Kerry
• Beth McLachlan
• Jade Curwen
Finally, recognition must go to the group who started this all, the original Morecambe
Community High School A.B.C., winners of the Red Rose Young Persons of the Year
Award,
• Emma Costello
• Sarah Dewar
• Laura Fleetwood
• Stacey Walker
• Chantelle Threlfall
• Catherine Bevan
SCHOOL REVIEWS
The school SEF contains information relating to the effectiveness of its policies.
The relevant sections are summarised below.
• The school has received awards for anti-bullying and also has a Healthy
Schools Award
• Peer mentors work with a Learning mentor to support students
• The school has a well developed Anti-Bullying Club
• The pastoral system continues to provide excellent support for all students
During Anti-bullying week all students complete a pupil designed questionnaire on
attitudes towards bullying. The questions are listed below
1. Have you ever been bullied?
2. What sort of abuse did you suffer?
3. Have you ever bullied someone?
4. Where would you feel safest?
5. Where would you avoid?
6. Do you ever delay going home?
7. Have you ever witnessed bullying?
8. If yes, what happened?
9. Do certain pupils get targeted?
10. Is the presence of teachers at the main gates reassuring?
11. Have you ever challenged a bully?
12. Do you think bully forms work?
13. If you got bullied who would you rather talk to?
14. Are you aware of the Anti-Bullying Club?
15. At what time of day do you feel least safe?
16. Would you feel better if there were more teachers on duty?
17. Have you ever felt victimised by a teacher?
18. Do you think bullying is right?
The results from all Year groups are collated and passed on to the SMT with
suggestions for action.
From September 2008 for a three year period, the school is using W3 Insights Pupil
Attitude to School and Self survey. The analysis for this will be passed on to form
tutors and ultimately Heads of House and Year
Monitoring and implementation
The Pastoral Deputy has overall responsibility for the school’s anti bullying policy
and it is her responsibility, with the assistance of the key teacher for anti bullying, to
monitor the work of the Heads of House and Year. This monitoring should include an
analysis of genders and ages of victims and perpetrators of bullying as well as a
reference to types of bullying.
Monitoring also should include the views of students, teachers and parents. As well
as information from surveys a group of school council students have volunteered to
work on anti bullying initiatives.
The data produced by the monitoring process is readily available to all staff, students
and parents.
Anti bullying is an item on the annual agenda for whole staff meetings either as part
of a specific meeting or as an item for an INSET day. This is part of the legal duty of
the school to implement an anti bullying policy.
Dealing with anti bullying forms part of the training of NQTs and student teachers
and these groups are given an anti bullying information sheet when they start school.
A parental anti bullying information sheet is available to all parents from reception
and this is given to all parents of new starters.
Welfare staff are given guidance on anti bullying as part of their annual training.
Anti-cyber bullying code
Being sent an abusive or threatening text message, or seeing nasty comments about you on a website, can be really upsetting. This code gives you seven important tips to protect yourself and your friends from getting caught up in cyber bullying, and advice on to how to report it when it does happen.
1. Always respect others Remember that when you send a message to someone, you cannot see the impact that your words or images may have on the other person. That is why it is important to always show respect to people and be careful what you say online or what images you send. What you think is a joke may really hurt someone else. Always ask permission before you take a photo of someone.
If you receive a rude or nasty message or picture about someone else, do not forward it. You could be assisting a bully and even be accused of cyber bullying yourself. You could also be breaking the law.
2. Think before you send It is important to think before you send any images or text about yourself or someone else by email or mobile phone, or before you post information on a website. Remember that what you send can be made public very quickly and could stay online forever. Do you really want your teacher or future employer to see that photo?
3. Treat your password like your toothbrush Don't let anyone know your passwords. It is a good idea to change them on a regular basis. Choosing hard-to-guess passwords with symbols or numbers will help stop people hacking into your account and pretending to be you. Remember to only give your mobile number or personal website address to trusted friends.
4. Block the Bully Most responsible websites and services allow you to block or report someone who is behaving badly. Make use of these features, they are there for a reason!
5. Don't retaliate or reply Replying to bullying messages, particularly in anger, is just what the bully wants.
6. Save the evidence Learn how to keep records of offending messages, pictures or online conversations. These will help you demonstrate to others what is happening and can be used by your school, internet service provider, mobile phone company, or even the police to investigate the cyber bullying.
7. Make sure you tell You have a right not to be harassed and bullied online.
There are people that can help:
• Tell an adult you trust who can help you to report it to the right place, or call a helpline like Childlike on 0800 1111 in confidence.
• Tell the provider of the service you have been bullied on (e.g. your mobile-phone operator or social-network provider). Check their websites to see where to report.
• Tell your school. Your teacher or the anti-bullying coordinator at your school can support you and can discipline the person bullying you.
Finally, don't just stand there. If you see cyber bullying going on, support the victim and report the bullying. How would you feel if no one stood up for you?
REFERENCES
“Bullying – don’t suffer in silence” DFEE (2000)
“Bullying – effective action in secondary schools” HMI (2003)
“The Anti Bullying School” Lancashire County Council (2004)
“Bullies and victims in school” Besag (1989)
“Bullying in schools” Tattum and Lane (1989)
“Countering bullying. Initiatives by schools and local authorities” Tattum and
Herbert (1993)
“The anti-bullying handbook” Sullivan (2000)
“Sticks and Stones” Anti Bullying Alliance (2005)
“The No Blame Approach” Robinson and Maines (2004)
“Safe to Tell” Robinson and Maines (2003)
“Crying for Help” Robinson and Maines (2004)
“Developing Emotional Health and Well Being – a whole school approach to
improving behaviour and attendance” Key Stage 3 National Strategy DFES (2005)
Appendices
• Student and parent information for planners
• Guidance sheet for parents of new starters
• Guidance for NQTs, ITT students, visitors and all other adults in the school community
• Guidance for welfare staff
• Heads of House/Year Bullying Record form
• Bully report form
Morecambe Community High School
BULLYING GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS AND
PUPILS
BULLYING IS DELIBERATELY CAUSING HARM TO ANOTHER PERSON
AND IT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AT THIS SCHOOL
If you feel you are being bullied:
• Fill in a bully report form
• Tell an adult in school
• Go and see the Anti-Bullying Club or Peer Mentors
• Tell a friend
• DO NOT JUST LET IT HAPPEN. TELL SOMEONE
All reports of bullying will be fully investigated and dealt with by heads of house
or transition. If necessary the key teacher for bullying may become involved
along with senior teachers in the school.
As a school we will take all reasonable steps to support our pupils and make
them safe but we need to know if you feel threatened or unhappy
Parents will be contacted immediately if their child has been bullied and the
school will take the necessary action to make sure the bullying stops.
If parents become concerned about bullying they are welcome to contact the
relevant Head of House or Transition to discuss ways of resolving the situation.
REMEMBER:
Do not let bullies get away with it.
The more people stand up to bullying the less it
will happen.
Together we can make this stop.
MORECAMBE COMMUNITY HIGH
SCHOOL
ANTI-BULLYING POLICY – Information to
parents of students new to the school
Bullying is:
“Behaviour by an individual or group usually repeated over time, that intentionally
hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally”
The three main types are:
• Physical – e.g. hitting, kicking or taking things
• Verbal – e.g. name calling, insulting of friends or family
• Indirect – e.g. spreading rumours, excluding, e-mail, text or any other form of
cyber bullying
AS A SCHOOL WE WILL TAKE ALL REASONABLE STEPS TO SUPPORT
OUR PUPILS AND MAKE THEM SAFE BUT WE NEED TO KNOW IF YOU
FEEL THREATENED OR UNHAPPY
Parents will be contacted immediately if their child has been bullied and the school
will take the necessary action to make sure the bullying stops. If parents become
concerned about bullying they are welcome to contact the relevant Head of House or
Transition to discuss ways of resolving the situation. If a student feels they are being
bullied they are encouraged to tell someone.
This could be:
• A teacher
• The form tutor
• The Head of House or Year
• A friend
• A peer mentor
• A student support manager
• A member of the LINC
• A lunch time supervisor
Where there is evidence of severe and/or persistent bullying, Heads of House or Year
will record this on a separate form and inform parents of their actions throughout the
process. The Heads of House or Year will contact parents where necessary and not
for incidents that can be easily dealt with in school. The decision whether or not to
contact parents rests with the Heads of House and Year.
Where there is an instance of clear bullying, Heads of House and Year open up
regular communication channels with parents and monitor the process. This will
involve a minimum of one follow up phone call after a period of two to three weeks.
GUIDANCE FOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY
ANTI BULLYING
Members of the school community are encouraged to report incidents of bullying
either verbally or through the use of the Incident of Bullying Report. Bullying is
usually reported directly to Heads of House or Year but may also be referred to any
adult in the school or student support groups.
Where there is evidence of severe and/or persistent bullying, Heads of House or Year
will record this on a separate form and inform parents of their actions throughout the
process. The Heads of House or Year will contact parents where necessary and not
for incidents that can be easily dealt with in school. The decision whether or not to
contact parents rests with the Heads of House and Year.
Once an allegation of bullying has been made it should be dealt with as soon as
possible.
• Never ignore claims of bullying
• Do not make assumptions
• Listen carefully to all accounts
• Inform Head of House/Year immediately
• Follow up
Heads of House/Year will play the key role in the investigation of and response to
incidents of bullying.
The school has a range of sanctions to deal with incidents of bullying. At the lowest
level this could be a detention but in serious cases exclusion could be appropriate.
All adults in school are responsible for the safety of all members of the school
community. We do not tolerate bullying at any level and a record is kept of all
bullying related incidents.
The work of the Heads of House in this area is monitored by the Pastoral Deputy and
she is, in turn, responsible to the Chair of Governors.
GUIDANCE FOR WELFARE STAFF
Anti Bullying
THE POLICY
Definition of bullying
“Behaviour by an individual or group usually repeated over time, that intentionally
hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally”
“It is the aim of the school community to promote an environment where all
individuals are valued and where bullying is viewed as an unacceptable way to
behave. Members of the school community are able to recognise bullying and are
prepared to take appropriate action. Pupils who have been bullied feel they can talk to
someone, witnesses of bullying feel they can take action and bullies will be helped to
address the reasons for their behaviour or be prepared to suffer the consequences if
they fail to change. Members of the school community have the right to feel safe in
and around school.”
The policy exists to deal with bullying at all levels, that is
• Children bullying other children
• Adults bullying adults
• Adults bullying children
• Children bullying adults
Reporting and recording
Members of the school community are encouraged to report incidents of bullying
either verbally or through the use of the Incident of Bullying Report. Bullying is
usually reported directly to Heads of House or Year but may also be referred to any
adult in the school or student support groups.
All members of the school community must report any bullying they see or pass on
any allegations of bullying to the relevant Head of House/Year
Once an allegation of bullying has been made it should be dealt with as soon as
possible.
• Never ignore claims of bullying
• Do not make assumptions
• Listen carefully to all accounts
• Inform Head of House/Year immediately
Any allegations of bullying involving adults is to be referred directly to the Pastoral
Deputy.
HEAD OF HOUSE/YEAR RECORD OF BULLY REPORT FORM
Victim(s)
Name(s) Form(s)
__________________________________ _________
___________________________________ _________
___________________________________ _________
Brief outline:
Response: Date:
Details of parental contact Date:
Bully/bullies
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Sanction Date:
Details of parental contact Date:
Morecambe Community High School Incident of Bullying Report
1) Write down your name and form………………………………………………… 2) Today’s date……………………………………………………………………….. 3) Who is bullying you?....................................................................................... 4) Write down the names of any witnesses……………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5) Where did the bullying happen?..................................................................... 6) What type of bullying was it? These are some suggestions, if you can, select one and give as many details as clearly as you can:
1. Called names 2. Something taken 3. Been threatened 4. Been hit or attacked 5. Another type of bullying (please explain)
………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………. 7) For how long has the bullying been going on? Please circle one option. 1 day 2 – 3 days 4 – 7 days If longer than 1 week, write how long……………………….. Check that you have filled in this bullying report as fully as possible and pass it to a member of staff. If possible try to talk to the member of staff about what has happened.
Staff Action: Please turn over and write a full account of
action taken. All involved staff to indicate action taken.
Action taken (to be completed only by members of staff)
Action 1:……………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… Signed………………………………………………………………………………….
Action 2:……………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… Signed…………………………………………………………………………………
Action 3
………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………… Signed…………………………………………………………………………………
Please return completed form to Head of Year 7 / Head of House