Anti-Bullying Policy

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THE NORTHAMPTON ACADEMY

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY    

Introduction

It is estimated that between 10-25% of all school children are directly affected by bullying either as victims or bullies.   None of us would condone bullying.   The single most important thing a school can do to prevent bullying is to have a clear policy to which staff, pupils and parents are committed.

We need to have a clear definition of bullying and an understanding of what a bully and victim may be like.   The notes below are for general introduction only and require full discussion at all levels, teaching and non-teaching staff (especially dinner supervisors) and students.

It is most important that the Academy has an agreed working definition of what constitutes bullying.

What is Bullying?

"It is the willful, conscious desire to hurt or threaten or frighten someone else."

Bullying can involve physical or verbal attacks, name calling, malicious gossip, damaging or stealing the property of the victim or coercing the victim into acts which they do not wish to do.

Bullying can take place several times a day or week and it can go on for months and even years.   It does not always have to be prolonged for damage to occur to the victim.

We can consider bullying to be any behaviour that is the illegitimate use of power in order to hurt others.

Who are Bullies?

There is no unique collection of characteristics that adds up to a bully.   Students who bully others are not always easily recognized and do not fit the cartoon version of the bully.

Bullies can be students who are:

-  academically achieving less but could be achieving as well as, if

   not better, than their peers

-  unpopular or insecure or quite secure and happy. 

Both male and female bullies tend to:

-  have assertive, aggressive attitudes over which they exercise

   little control

-  lack empathy

-  lack guilt

Who are Victims?

Bullies pick on vulnerable children but this vulnerability is not always visible to adults.   Victims may includes students who:

-      are new to the class/school

• - are different in appearance, speech and/or background
• - suffer from low self-esteem
• - demonstrate 'entertaining' reactions when bullied
• - are more nervous or anxious
• - but this list is not exhaustive

Victims may see themselves as inadequate and friendless.   They may become withdrawn, depressed children.   Absenteeism from school may increase and lead to under-achievement.   Victims may be driven to suicide.

Aims of this Policy

To prevent bullying

To deal effectively with bullying if it occurs

To be an integral part of the Academy behaviour policy.

POLICY STATEMENT

                Bullying is behaviour which hurts, threatens, frightens or distresses another person.

                Bullying in any form is not acceptable at Northampton Academy.

                The Academy will provide as much support as is necessary for the victims of bullying.

                The Academy will counsel and help those who bully in order to prevent it occurring.

                It is the responsibility of all students  and staff to act to prevent bullying.

                The curriculum will aim to provide all students with the skills to recognise and deal with bullying.

1.  Raising Awareness:-

Discussions to identify what counts as bullying to be held in PSHE lessons, staff meetings and then at whole Academy council level.

Messages about acceptable behaviour should be transmitted through all teaching activities.   Teachers must be aware that they can bully through the power of their role.   Positive attitudes to bullying can be developed through drama, role play, discussion and games.

Activities which allow co-operative work where non-aggressive behaviour can be praised will be encouraged throughout the curriculum.   Students need to develop empathy for the victims.

All students should know that the Academy cares about bullying.   They should be aware that their tutor is the first point of call if they are being bullied.   The Head of House and Senior Staff are also available to talk to.   Students should inform their tutor immediately if they witness or suspect someone else is being bullied.   We must develop the culture where all students are supportive of each other.

2.  Identifying problem areas:-

In order to get away with it, bullies need opportunity.   A lot of bullying happens out of lesson time and when there is nothing more interesting to do.

A survey of where incidents occur will be undertaken and students asked to contribute to this through PSHE work.

Key areas such as toilets, changing rooms, corridors and 'dark corners', must be supervised at break, lunchtime and change of lesson.   Random spot checks by senior staff on duty should be included.   Dinner supervisors should be trained to spot likely bullying incidents.   Their supervision should include toilets at lunchtime.

3.  Bullying Incidents:-

All staff must act on the policy and agree it is not 'somebody else's job!'   All incidents should be taken seriously and investigated.

Class teachers should watch for early signs of distress in students, deterioration of work, absenteeism, isolation from others and desire to stay with adults.   These may be the early signs of bullying.

Staff should follow the guidelines on what to do as given in Appendix 1.

The Academy regards bullying behaviour very seriously and therefore the following steps will be taken in dealing with incidents.   Full records of all incidents, discussions and resolutions must be kept.   These should include a written record of the event by bully, victim and witnesses.   Parents of bullies and victims will be informed in writing of the incident and will be asked to respond.   The unacceptable nature of bullying behaviour must be made known to their parents, together with the consequences of any repetition.   Copies of all reports will be placed in the respective pupil's files for a specified time.

It is essential that all pupils are aware that bullying will not be condoned.   Therefore, any child complaining of being bullied must be listened to and taken seriously.   They must not be made to feel it is their fault or told to 'grow up' and get tough.  Dealing with the bully needs to be carefully planned and actions clearly explained.  If staff react aggressively or punitively, it gives the message that it is alright to bully if you have power.

4.  Communication:-

By involving the whole school community in raising awareness of bullying, the Academy is stating it is serious about tackling bullying.

Parents and the wider community need to be aware of the Academy's stance on bullying.  The Academy prospectus will include mention of the policy as part of the overall Academy behavior  policy.

5.  Staff Development:-

• Use of scenarios to raise staff awareness of bullying
• Development of agreed working definition of bullying
• Training of all staff (including dinner supervisors) in recognising and dealing with bullying.

APPENDIX 1

Guidelines for Staff                          

If you come across bullying or an incident is reported to you:

First steps:-

-  remain calm, do not react emotionally as this may add to the bully's fun and give them the control of the situation

-  take the incident seriously

-  take action quickly.   If a very serious matter, get senior staff help

-  consider whether your action needs to be private or public, think about the group dynamics

-  reassure the victim, offer concrete help, advice and support but don't be over protective

-  make it plain to the bully that you disapprove of their actions, encourage them to see it from the victim's point of view but don't assume that the bully is bad through and through

-  obtain written reports from bully, victim and witnesses.

Second Steps:-

-  punish the bully if necessary

-  complete an incident report

-  discuss with Head of House about informing parents

-  inform other staff if the incident arose in an area of school where everyone should be extra vigilant.

Final Steps:-

-  if the trigger for the incident is known to you, think ahead to prevent a recurrence of the incident

-  ensure the incident does not live on through reminders from you.