THE NEW SCHOOL ANTI BULLYING POLICY

1.0 Introduction

TCHA values the good relationships fostered by the school, and expects that every allegation of bullying will be taken seriously. Some experts say that a child should be treated as being bullied simply because he/she says that they are. Therefore all incidents will be investigated. TCHA Board considers that this is the attitude that this school should adopt. All staff, students and parents should be aware of the negative effects that bullying can have on individuals and the school in general, and should work towards ensuring that students can work in an environment without fear.

2.0 Aims

To demonstrate that the school takes bullying seriously and it will not be tolerated

To take measures to prevent all forms of bullying in the school as well as on the journey to and from school.

To support everyone in their actions to identify and protect those who might be bullied

To demonstrate to all that the safety and happiness of students is enhanced by dealing positively with bullies and bullying

To encourage students to tell someone they are being bullied.

3.0 Definition of Bullying

Bullying is deliberately hurtful behaviour, whether physical, verbal, emotional, oral, photographed or written, repeated over a period of time. It is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves.

4.0 Responsibilities

TCHA Board

A member of the TCHA board will liaise with the Learning & Skills Co-ordinator over anti-bullying strategies and individual cases where appropriate. The TCHA board will discuss, review and endorse agreed strategies and will discuss the effectiveness of this policy.

4.1 The Learning & Skills Co-ordinator

The Learning & Skills Co-ordinator has a legal duty under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to draw up procedures to prevent bullying among students.

The Learning & Skills Co-ordinator will:

Ensure that all staff has an opportunity of discussing strategies and reviewing them

Determine the strategies and procedures in conjunction with the Learning & Skills Tutors

Discuss development of the strategies with the Learning & Skills Tutors

Ensure that the procedures are brought to the attention of all staff, parents and students

Liaise with the local authority and other appropriate agencies.

Arrange relevant staff training

4.2 Learning & Skills Tutors will:

Be responsible for the day-to-day management of the policy and systems

Keep the Learning & Skills Co-ordinator informed of incidents

Attend relevant staff training

Determine how best to involve parents in the solution of individual problems

Advise on methods for encouraging students to tell someone that they are being bullied

Report regularly to the TCHA board

5.0 Involvement of Parents

Parents, as well as all staff and students, should know that the school will not tolerate bullying. Parents of students who are being bullied and parents of bullies will be involved in the solution to the problem as appropriate by the Learning & Skills Tutors in consultation with the Learning & Skills Co-ordinator.

6.0 Involvement of Students

Students will be encouraged to tell someone they are being bullied, with strategies of how to do this covertly, if they are unable to do it overtly.

7.0 Strategies for Dealing with bullying (what students should do)

Tell a friend who will pass it on (or a parent)

Tell one of the Learning & Skills Tutors

Tell the Learning & Skills Co-ordinator

Tell a partner organisation representative

Drop a note in an envelope into Administration office with the name of the person whose help is requested – it will get passed to them by the Administration Officer but no-one will know who sent it, except the person its addressed to.

Keep a diary recording dates, times, words and / or actions later it may well be useful as evidence.

7.1 Strategies for Dealing with bullying (what staff should do)

Learning & Skills Tutors listen to bullied person’s problem

Learning & Skills Tutors will monitor the situation.

If problem persists, bullied student is referred to Learning & Skills Co-ordinator

If problem persists, the student is offered one or more of these as appropriate:

Diary to record bullying incidents and bullying free days;

Buddy – student or teaching assistant; a more protected area for non-lesson times; permission to arrive a little late or leave a little early until problem is solved;

Regular meetings: some which involve parents, to review the situation.

Set up a meeting with the bully; which could also involve parents.

If agreed to; a referral made to a partner agency; i.e. Counselling

If problem persists, the Learning & Skills Co-ordinator will make use of the ‘ladder’ of sanctions below.

8.0 Sanctions used with Bullies

Verbal reprimand

Letter to victim

Meeting with victim

Removal of privileges

Fixed term exclusions

Permanent exclusion.

8.1 Factors to be taken into account when determining consequences

Age, development and maturity levels of the parties involved

Life skill competencies

Social relationships

Degree of harm

Surrounding circumstances

Nature and severity of the behaviour(s)

Relationship between the parties involved

Family situation

Context in which the alleged incident(s) occurred

Incidences of past or continuing pattern(s)

9.0 Criteria for Success

Students’ willingness to use appropriate school channels for telling

Students’ recorded satisfaction at the closure of a bullying episode

Parents’ recorded satisfaction with school’s handling of the bullying.

9.1 Reporting and Recording

All incidents must be recorded.

All interventions must be recorded on personal report.

9.2 Monitoring and Evaluation

The Learning & Skills Co-ordinator will keep and consider reports on serious incidents, and make a report regularly to the TCHA Board in order to determine what can be learned from the incidents and how they were handled with a view to improving the school’s strategies.

Students and parents will be consulted on the effectiveness of this policy via student questionnaires and parents’ open day/evening questionnaires.

This policy will be monitored and evaluated by the TCHA Board, or more frequently, if legislation or experience suggests it appropriate.

This policy was agreed and approved by The TCHA Board of Directors

on behalf of Tamworth Cornerstone Housing Association

was reviewed_________2011_____________

next review due________2013____________