Anti-Bullying

Click on the internal link below to see what our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors have been up to.

Clowne Junior School is committed to a policy of inclusion, equality and justice. We provide a warm, caring and safe place for all our children so that they can learn and play in a relaxed and secure environment.

We believe that bullying of any kind is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our school. We take all incidents of bullying seriously. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. We believe that where bullying is challenged effectively pupils will feel safe and happy and we will demonstrate a school that cares. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect and pupils who are bullying others need to learn different ways of behaving.

At Clowne Junior School, we acknowledge that bullying can and does happen from time to time. When bullying does occur, everyone should feel able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively in accordance with our school anti-bullying policy.

Children have the right to learn, live, travel and play in a safe environment where they can thrive and achieve their full potential.

Our bullying policy should be read in conjunction with our school’s behaviour policy.

What is bullying?

In Clowne Junior School, we define bullying as follows:

Bullying is when an individual or group deliberately hurts another or makes them feel unhappy. Bullying behaviour will be repeated over a period of time and is difficult for the victim to defend against. People can be bullied for any reason; because of the way they look, because of their religion, their age, because of a learning or physical disability for example.

Bullying is a blight on the lives of our children which inhibits full participation in education and learning, cultural, social and leisure activities. Whatever the reason, bullying is never acceptable and will not be tolerated in Clowne Junior School.

Bullying can take many forms, but three main types are:

• Physical – hitting, kicking, spitting, demanding money or belongings.
• Verbal – name calling, insults making racist, sexist, homophobic or offensive remarks.
• Indirect – excluding or ‘blanking’, spreading gossip, damaging property, offensive or abusive emails, text messages or posts on websites – known as ‘cyber bullying’. We believe that bullying someone by email or text messages is still hurtful and will be dealt with in the same manner.

Bullying is not:

It is important to understand that bullying is not the odd occasion of falling out with friends, name calling, arguments or when the occasional trick or joke is played on someone. It is bullying if it is done several times on purpose (STOP).

Children sometimes fall out and say things because they are upset. When occasional problems of this kind arise, although unkind, it is not classed as bullying. It is an important part of children’s development to learn how to deal with friendship breakdowns or a childish prank. We all have to learn how to deal with these situations and develop skills to repair relationships.

Aims

Our aim is to try to prevent and deal with any behaviour deemed as bullying. We are committed to ensuring that the school community works together to create a happy, safe, caring and stimulating environment. The implementation of this policy will create an ethos where bullying is regarded as unacceptable so that a safe and secure environment is created for everyone to learn and work in. All members of the school community have the responsibility to recognise bullying when it occurs and take appropriate action in accordance with the school policy.

Within Clowne Junior School we want:

• All children to feel safe to learn, play and enjoy the company of others.
• All children and adults to be treated fairly, with respect and dignity.
• All adults to feel happy and safe in the workplace.
• Everyone to listen carefully to what children and adults have to say and treat all accounts with due seriousness.

Signs and Symptoms of bullying

A child may indicate, by different signs or behaviour, that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these signs and investigate further if a child:

• Is frightened of walking to or from school.
• Begins truanting.
• Becomes withdrawn, anxious or lacking in confidence.
• Feels ill in the morning.
• Begins to under perform in school work.
• Has possessions go ‘missing’.
• Asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay the bully).
• Is frightened to say what’s wrong.

NB this is not a definitive list but suggests some of the signs and symptoms. These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be taken seriously and investigated as soon as possible.

What can you do if you are being bullied?

We want everybody to feel confident to report bullying whenever and wherever it happens, and get the help they need to feel safe again. If someone is bullying you, it important to remember that is not your fault and there are people that can help you. Tell someone you trust, giving them as many facts as you can (Who? Where? What? Why? When? How?). All pupils know that if they are experiencing bullying they should tell their teacher in the first instance. Should a pupil not feel confident in doing this our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors are available to speak to pupils.

What can you do if you see someone else being bullied? (The role the bystander)

Ignoring bullying is cowardly and unfair to the victim. Staying silent means that the bully has won and gives them more power. There are ways you can help without putting yourself in danger, for example tell a member of staff as soon as possible or ask someone you trust about what to do.

Let's stand together and say NO to bullying!