Anti-Bullying Policy
Aims and Objectives
The aim of the anti-bullying policy is to ensure that students learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment without fear of being bullied. Bullying is anti-social behaviour and affects everyone; it is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Only when all issues of bullying are addressed will students be able to fully benefit from the opportunities available at the Academy
Bullying is defined as the conscious desire to hurt, threaten, frighten or make someone feel uncomfortable repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves. The three main types of bullying are:
Physical (hitting, kicking, theft).
Verbal (name calling, racist remarks).
Indirect (spreading rumours, excluding someone from social groups).
Students who are being bullied may show changes in behaviour, such as becoming shy and nervous, feigning illness, taking unusual absences or clinging to adults. There may be evidence of changes in work patterns, lacking concentration or truanting from the Academy. Students must be encouraged to report bullying in the Academy.
The Academy's teaching and ancillary staff must be alert to signs of bullying and act promptly and firmly against it in accordance with Academy policy.
Rules and Responsibilities
The Principal has a legal duty under the Schools Standards and Frameworks Act 1998 to draw up procedures to prevent bullying among students and to bring these procedures to the attention of staff, parents and students.
Staff
The following steps should be taken when dealing with incidents:
- If bullying is suspected or reported, the incident will be dealt with immediately by the member of staff who has been approached.
- A clear account of the incident will be recorded and given to the Head of Year.
- The Head of Year will interview all concerned and will record the incident.
- Personal Tutors will be kept informed and if it persists the Personal Tutor will advise the appropriate subject teachers.
- Parents will be kept informed.
- Punitive measures will be used as appropriate and in consultation with all parties concerned.
Students who Have Been Bullied will be Supported by:
- Offering an immediate opportunity to discuss the experience with the Personal Tutor or member of staff of their choice.
- Reassuring the student.
- Offering continuous support.
- Restoring self-esteem and confidence.
Students who Have Bullied will be Helped by:
- Discussing what happened.
- Discovering why the student became involved.
- Establishing the wrong doing and need to change.
- Informing parents or guardians to help change the attitude of the student.
The Following Disciplinary Steps can be Taken as Punishment for the Bully:
- Official warnings to cease offending.
- Detention.
- Exclusion from certain areas of the Academy premises.
- Fixed term exclusion.
- Permanent exclusion.
Within the curriculum the Academy will raise the awareness of the nature of bullying through inclusion in Tutorial, Registration time, assemblies and subject areas, as appropriate, in an attempt to eradicate such behaviour.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Review
The Academy will review this policy annually and assess its implementation and effectiveness. The policy will be promoted and implemented throughout the Academy.