Newcastle School for Boys Parent Handbook 2008 / 2009

Anti-Bullying Policy

The School believes that all boys have the right to learn and develop in a supportive, caring and safe environment without fear of being bullied.

KEY PRINCIPLES

  • It is a statutory requirement that all schools have an anti – bullying policy. The Education Inspections Act 2006 places a legal duty on schools to make provision for measures to tackle all forms of bullying.
  • Bullying exists in all walks of life, not just schools or certain types of schools. It is wrong and results in pain and distress to the victim and can directly affect other people, not just bullies and victims.
  • There are a number of definitions of bullying. The School defines bullying as:

actions that are intended to be hurtful to another person, usually on a repeated basis and usually where there is an imbalance (real or perceived) of power

  • The victim’s response at the time of a bullying incident, e.g., appearing to laugh along, is not a reliable indicator as to whether behaviour may be deemed to be bullying.
  • We recognise that, at times, boys’ behaviour can be thoughtless rather than deliberate.

 

TYPES OF BULLYING

Bullying can include a number of different behaviours:

  • Emotional - being actively unfriendly, excluding, tormenting
  • Physical - pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any violence
  • Racist - racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
  • Sexual - unwanted physical contact or sexually orientated comments
  • Homophobic - because of, or focusing on the issue of sexuality
  • Verbal - name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing
  • Cyber - Internet misuse through offensive website postings, e-mail and instant messaging. Misuse of mobile phones through text messaging, camera and video facilities, etc
  • Property - damage to or hiding or another’s property

THE CURRICULUM

Boys are encouraged to co-operate with each other, form positive relationships and question behaviour which discriminates against others. They should also learn to listen to others at the same time as demonstrating an appropriate degree of assertiveness.

The School curriculum seeks to promote awareness of individual responsibilities towards others. PHSE and tutor time offer particular opportunities for structured learning in this area.

A number of other subjects offer openings to examine questions of oppressive behaviour and equality. For example, through literature boys may explore the emotional impact of isolation or abuse. History can enable boys to understand intimidation and persecution.

 

THE SCHOOL’S APPROACH AND RESPONSE TO BULLYING

  • We seek to prevent bullying by promoting a school ethos in which bullying is regarded as unacceptable. Research suggests that one of the most effective deterrents of bullying is peer attitudes and responses. Boys are encouraged to remove themselves from situations and to report incidents in which they are concerned that bullying behaviour is occurring.
  • We seek to educate boys about how to interact effectively and positively
  • We aim to produce a safe and secure environment where all boys can learn without anxiety and where we minimise opportunities for bullying
  • We aim to deal promptly with any concerns over bullying and to involve parents where appropriate. In responding to concerns over bullying, our first response will always be to gather the relevant information in a calm and objective manner before deciding from an informed position the best intervention(s) to secure the desired outcome
  • Where bullying has been identified and intervened against, we will continue to monitor the situation for a suitable time period
  • In some instances, it may be necessary to have regard to other, related School policies, such as: Child Protection and Behaviour Management
  • We ensure all staff are aware of this policy and its contents and are trained to identify and respond to incidents of bullying
  • Records of bullying or suspected bullying will be maintained to ensure any repeated or patterns of behaviour may be identified
  • It is the responsibility of the Senior School Pastoral Leader to monitor the incidence and occurrence of bullying within the Senior School and to keep the Deputy Head and Headmaster informed as appropriate
  • As either part of an investigation into alleged incidents of bullying behaviour, we reserve the right to search belongings and confiscate items and materials perceived to be offensive.
  • We also reserve the right to confiscate/ban individual boys from using or carrying mobile phones and other media devices in School either as part of an investigation of an alleged bullying incident or as a response to an incident.

 

THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

As the Senior School site is further developed, it is the School’s intention to minimise areas of the site that might facilitate bullying behaviour. Open areas where there is high public visibility are an effective deterrent. All areas of the Senior School site and the location of reported incidents are checked and monitored regularly.

 

BULLYING BEYOND THE SCHOOL

Schools are not directly responsible for bullying off their premises and this can be a difficult area to manage. However, boys are encouraged not to suffer in silence. The bullying may be by boys at the School, boys at other schools, or people not at school at all. Where a boy reports bullying off the school premises, there a number of responses that may be appropriate:

  • Contact with the local police
  • Contact with the relevant transport provider about bullying on buses, trains or metro
  • Contact with Heads of other schools
  • Map safe routes to School and tell boys about them
  • Talk to boys about how to avoid or handle bullying outside the school premises

 

THE ROLE OF PARENTS

  • It is clearly helpful where parents are able to support the values and measures represented within this policy and to discuss relationships, incidents and concerns in the same light.
  • Parents, who are concerned that their son may be being bullied, or may be a perpetrator of bullying, should contact his form tutor immediately. We advise against contacting other parents to sort out matters.
  • If parents are not satisfied with the response they should contact the Pastoral Leader. If they are still not satisfied they should contact the Deputy Head/Headmaster.
  • A parent who is dissatisfied with the way the school has dealt with a bullying incident can follow the Complaints Procedure.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION, GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT

Don’t Suffer in Silence, DCFS

www.kidscape.org.uk

www.bullying.co.uk

Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) 020 7354 8321

Children’s Legal Centre 0845 345 4345

Kidscape Parents Helpline (Mon – Fri, 10-4) 0845 1205 204

Parentline Plus 0808 800 2222

Youth Access 020 8772 9900

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