Co-op Academy Portland Anti-bullying Policy

In our school, the wellbeing and education of all our children comes first.

All members of Co-op Academy Portland are expected to behave with consideration and care for one another. At Portland, we foster kind and respectful relationships with others as reflected in our class and whole school rules. It is also reflected in our Behaviour Policy and the principles of restorative justice, when we do something wrong we make amends and learn from our mistakes.

What is bullying?

Bullying is when a person is hurtful or unkind to someone else, on purpose and more than once. It can be carried out by one person or by groups of people including children, staff or parents. Bullying is a conscious desire to hurt, to threaten, to frighten someone or to obtain power over someone (usually over a period of time or on a regular basis.) This is completely unacceptable behaviour. Bullies often try to involve other people in their behaviour. Onlookers who do nothing often contribute to the problem of bullying. If bullying is not tackled immediately, it can have serious consequences. Children bully for lots of different reasons, but mostly because they are not happy.

Bullying can be:

●  Hitting or saying you are going to hit someone;

●  Touching someone when they don’t want you to;

●  Calling someone names, teasing, using rude language or saying nasty things about someone to them or to other people;

●  Stealing or damaging someone else’s belongings;

●  Ignoring someone on purpose or leaving them out;

●  Sending hurtful or unkind texts, emails or online messages to someone or about someone.

Bullying can be about:

● Race or ethnicity (racist bullying);

●  Religion or belief;

●  Family and culture;

● Sexist bullying, which is bullying someone because of their gender. For example, because they are a boy or girl, or saying they are acting ‘like a boy’ or ‘like a girl’;

● Homophobic or biphobic bullying. This is saying unkind things because someone is lesbian, gay or bisexual, or because you think they are, or because they have two mums or two dads. It is also calling someone lesbian, gay or bisexual on purpose to be unkind or nasty to them, for example, ‘You’re so gay!’

● Transphobic bullying. This is saying unkind things because someone is trans, or because you think they are trans, or being nasty about trans people (someone who feels the gender they are given as a baby doesn’t match the gender that they feel themselves to be);

● Special Educational Needs or disability;

● What someone looks like;

● Where someone lives.

Why does bullying happen?

Bullies can be older or younger than you, bigger or smaller than you. Bullies pick on people who may be different in some way and try to make them feel worse about themselves. If you are being bullied remember that it is never your fault.

Where does bullying happen?

Bullying can happen at school, after school or online. Bullying which occurs outside school premises: School staff members have the power to discipline pupils for misbehaving outside the school premises. This may include bullying incidents occurring anywhere off the school premises, such as on public transport, outside the local shops, or in a town or village centre. Where bullying outside school is reported to school staff, it will be investigated and acted on. The Headteacher will also consider whether it is appropriate to notify the police or anti-social behaviour coordinator in their local authority of the action taken against a pupil.

What should I do if I think someone is being bullied?

Talk to the person and ask if they’re ok and try to find out if they are being bullied. If they are, ask if you can help them talk to a teacher or an adult they trust.

What should I do if I’m being bullied?

If you are being bullied it is important to tell someone you trust. Tell an adult or friends, either at school or at home. If you have already told an adult about bullying you can still tell them again. You can:

• Tell a teacher – your class teacher or any other teacher;
• Tell any other adult staff in school – such as Midday Assistants, Teaching Assistants or Office Staff;
• You can also call ChildLine at any time for free on 0800 1111.

If you tell a teacher or an adult at school, they will be able to help you. They may tell another teacher like your class teacher, or a parent or carer so that they can help you. Telling an adult will never make the bullying worse. They will talk to you and the bully to find ways to stop the bullying.

Teachers and support staff

●  Listen carefully to what pupils tell you and record all the incidents on C-POMS alerting appropriate staff.

●  Offer immediate support to victims and put the school’s procedures into operation. (see below)

●  Confidentiality must always include the pastoral team and never impinge on safeguarding (please refer to the Safeguarding Policy).

●  Continue to watch for signs of further bullying.

●  If appropriate, increase Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural (SMSC) work in the curriculum to assist children in dealing with the problems.

●  If appropriate, discuss ELSA support.

School Procedures on Bullying

As a school, we respond promptly and effectively to any bullying that occurs.

1. Staff arrive as promptly as possible for any break or lunchtime duties. Clear evidence of staff on duty is itself a deterrent to bullying.

2. Racist/Sexist/Homophobic/Cyber issues should be passed on to the pastoral staff as quickly as possible to build a picture. We review the quality of our curriculum to ensure that the needs of the children are being met. Pupil surveys

3. If in doubt – share with a member of the SLT.

4. The following procedures will be used by the pastoral team where appropriate:

●  Speak to both parties about unacceptable behaviour.

●  If the matter is a second incident, inform the SLT and keep a record.

●  The Behaviour Policy is to be used in conjunction with this policy for sanctions to children who persist in ‘bullying’ behaviours.

●  If necessary, the parents of both pupils will be invited to see the SLT/Headteacher.

●  The Headteacher will explore issues through assembly; class teachers will explore them through PSHE and RSE lessons and circle time.

Pupils should be used as a positive resource in countering bullying. The problem may be discussed within a class group at circle time or during PSHE or with other groups of children. Pupils should be recruited if possible to help newcomers to be accepted. Sexual, homophobic and racial harassment needs to be dealt with in the same way, although this must be recorded and reported upon. This will often be done through PSHE using thought provoking materials, during anti-bullying week (inclusion week) as a whole school approach, and/or through assembly time. MEAS will also be consulted over any racial harassment and advice and materials provided will be used with the children.

Pastoral Team

• Headteacher – Mrs Corynne Peace
• Welfare Officer – Mrs Eileen Tolcher        
• SENDCo & EYFS Lead– Mrs Gemma McMahon
• PSHE/SRE Coordinator- Mrs Philippa Beedles