Anti-BULLYING

1 What is bullying?

Bullying is behaviour that is:

• repeated

• intended to hurt someone either physically or emotionally

• often aimed at certain groups, for example because of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation 

2 What are the different types of bullying?

• Physical Bullying – e.g. pushing, kicking or hitting others, making people do what they don’t want to do, damaging, or stealing someone’s belongings

• Verbal Bullying – e.g. name-calling, teasing and mocking, sarcasm, blackmail and threats, spreading rumours

• Cyber Bullying – e.g. mobile phone texts/calls, instant messaging/social media, uploading unkind posts or photos online, emails, internet chat rooms etc.

• Indirect Bullying – e.g. being unfriendly and ignoring others, excluding others from friendship groups 

These are all described as types of child-on-child abuse and the school takes these very seriously. 

3 How do I know if somebody is being bullied?

If somebody is being bullied they may: 

• Behave differently to how they usually behave

• Seem quiet and anxious 

• Appear to be sad or upset

• Lack in confidence when they are usually confident

• Say they don’t feel well, especially first thing in the morning

• Start to do less well at school

• Not want to walk to school or to leave the house on evenings or weekends

• Not want to come to school

• Skip lessons 

• Have trouble sleeping and seem to be tired all the time because they aren’t sleeping properly

• Become aggressive or disruptive

• Have some unexplained cuts or bruises

• Ask for money or have no money at lunchtimes

• Hurt themselves on purpose

4 What should I do if I believe somebody is being bullied or is bullying others?

• Speak to any member of staff about your concerns

5 What happens if I report bullying?

Bullying of any type and by anyone will not be tolerated at North Chadderton School.  

• All staff will take bullying seriously 
• Bullying will be investigated
• Statements from the person experiencing bullying, the student carrying out the bullying behaviour and any witnesses.  We may also view CCTV footage
• Where bullying is found to have happened the student carrying out the bullying behaviour will face an appropriate consequence for their actions and the person experiencing bullying will be supported
• If appropriate and required, outside agencies such as the police may be asked to support school in dealing with incidents of bullying.
• Parents/carers of those involved will be informed
• Teachers will be told so that they are aware of any concerns 
• Bullying incidents will be recorded and may be sent to the Local Authority as a ‘Hate/Bullying Incident’ which will go on the record of the student carrying out the bullying behaviour

6     What support is there for students?

(a) For the person carrying out the bullying behaviour: 

• Staff will ensure that the person carrying out the bullying behaviour is helped to see that their behaviour is bullying, to think about the effect their behaviour has had on others, and to change this in the future, this will use restorative approaches and as part of this work the perpetrator will be encouraged to apologise for their actions.
• Additional support will be offered from the Achievement Support Team, to those students who do not fully understand the implications of their actions.

(b) For the person experiencing bullying: 

• The student experiencing bullying will be offered additional support from Achievement Support staff, including on an everyday basis by their form tutor.   
• School counselling may be provided if requested.
• Support programmes will be available for students.
• Parents/carers will be informed and encouraged to support/monitor their child at home. School will work collaboratively with parents to ensure young people feel supported.