Anti-Bullying at Stamfordham

Children and young people at Stamfordham Primary enjoy many rights. These include the right to be safe, enjoy and achieve and make a positive contribution to school life. Stamfordham maintains a caring approach to children and any form of bullying, physical, verbal, racial, homophobic, sexist or any other type or harassment will not be tolerated. 

What is bullying?

Bullying can be defined as a physical, psychological or verbal attack against an individual or group of individuals by a person or group of persons, causing physical or psychological harm to the victim. It is usually conscious and wilful and commonly consists of repeated acts of aggression and/or manipulation. It can take a number of forms – both physical and non-physical, either in combination or in isolation. Any bullying, whether physical or non-physical, may result in lasting psychological damage to the individual.

Bullying generally falls into one or a combination of the following categories:

• Physical Bullying – Unprovoked assault on a person or group which can range from a ‘prod’ to grievous bodily harm.
• Psychological – Reduction of a person’s self-esteem or confidence through threatening behaviour, taunting or teasing about race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, family circumstances, appearance, or any other feature of their lives which can be used to wound or humiliate them.
• Social- Ostracism/rejection by peer group.
• Verbal – The use of language in a derogatory or offensive manner, such as swearing, racist or sexist abuse, sexual innuendo, spreading rumours, etc.
• Cyber bullying – Using mobile phones or the internet to deliberately upset someone.
• Homophobic – Any hostile or offensive action against lesbians, gay males, bisexuals or trans-gender people, or those perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans-gender.

We ensure that we explore and teach our children the importance of kindness and respect. Through our Child Friendly Anti Bullying policy we ensure children are aware of what bullying is and how to get Help. Healthy relationships are explored through our RSE and PSHCE curriculum every term. We celebrate Anti Bullying Week and Odd Socks Day each year and hold an assembly for parents which is always well attended. 

Objectives of this Policy

• To ensure that everyone in the school community have an understanding of what bullying is and how the school will deal with incidences of bullying
• To develop a listening caring ethos at Stamfordham where any form of bullying is not tolerated and dealt with in the appropriate manner
• To encourage discussion and not make premature assumptions and to foster a problem solving approach
• The staff is made aware of the anti-bullying policy by the Senior Leadership Team and has access to where the policy is kept.
• Explore issues through the curriculum by PSHE, assemblies and Anti-bullying week.
• Support the bully and the victim in modifying behaviour

Where to Get Help if You are Being Bullied:

· Teachers

· Head Teacher

· Family

· Parents and Carers

· Guide/scout leaders

· School Council

· Friends

· School Ambassadors

· Childline

· NSPCC

· Police

· School Helpers

· Teaching Assistants

· Football Coaches

· Lunchtime Supervisors

 -Worry Boxes (in each classroom)

What can you do if you are being bullied?

· Ask for help

· Let people know what is going on—parents, teachers, friends, etc.

· Don’t ignore it—you have rights

· Think positively about yourself

· Practice being confident

· Be firm and clear—look them in the eye and tell them to stop

· Get away from the situation— walk away

· Avoid situations where you will be alone

· Keep a record of what is happening

· Stay behind after school and tell someone that you feel comfortable with

Supporting Organisations and Guidance

• Anti-Bullying Alliance: www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk
• Beat Bullying: www.beatbullying.org
• Childline: www.childline.org.uk
• DfE: “Preventing and Tackling Bullying. Advice for headteachers, staff and governing bodies”, and “Supporting children and young people who are bullied: advice for schools” March 2014: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying
• DfE: “No health without mental health”: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/no-health-without-mental-health-a-cross-government-outcomes-strategy
• Family Lives: www.familylives.org.uk
• Kidscape: www.kidscape.org.uk
• MindEd: www.minded.org.uk
• NSPCC: www.nspcc.org.uk
• PSHE Association: www.pshe-association.org.uk
• Restorative Justice Council: www.restorativejustice.org.uk
• The Diana Award: www.diana-award.org.uk
• Victim Support: www.victimsupport.org.uk
• Young Minds: www.youngminds.org.uk
• Young Carers: www.youngcarers.net

Cyberbullying

• Childnet International: www.childnet.com
• Digizen: www.digizen.org
• Internet Watch Foundation: www.iwf.org.uk
• Think U Know: www.thinkuknow.co.uk
• UK Safer Internet Centre: www.saferinternet.org.uk

LGBT

• EACH: www.eachaction.org.uk
• Pace: www.pacehealth.org.uk
• Schools Out: www.schools-out.org.uk
• Stonewall: www.stonewall.org.uk

SEND

• Changing Faces: www.changingfaces.org.uk
• Mencap: www.mencap.org.uk
• DfE: SEND code of practice: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25

Racism and Hate

• Anne Frank Trust: www.annefrank.org.uk
• Kick it Out: www.kickitout.org
• Report it: www.report-it.org.uk
• Stop Hate: www.stophateuk.org
• Show Racism the Red Card: www.srtrc.org/educational