Anti-Bullying for Students

‘The repetitive intentional hurting of one person by an individual or group where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be carried out, physically, verbally, emotionally or in cyber space (Anti Bullying Alliance).’

1.  Bullying related to race, religion or culture
2.  Bullying related to special educational needs or disability
3.  Bullying related to appearance or health conditions
4.  Bullying related to sexual orientation – homophobic abuse
5.  Bullying of young carers, children in care or due to home circumstances
6.  Sexist or sexual bullying

Physical

Assault, pushing, shouldering, elbowing, tripping, slapping, kicking, hair pulling, inacceptable touching (including that of a sexual nature), throwing items, blocking i.e.: preventing movement through an access point, pinching, stabbing, burning, spitting or any other form of physical activity that makes a person feel threatened or intimidated.

Social

Verbal – Any words (e.g. Racial, sexual, homophobic, disability etc…) used in a sexual or aggressive manner designed to hurt or cause offence. In addition, any comments made about the size, appearance, clothing, odour, academic ability or other abilities, home life, social circumstances, financial circumstances, spreading rumours or any other comments designed to be hurtful or words used to intimidate.

Written – Any insults contained in note passing, threatening letters, graffiti, defacing any property belonging to another; or any message passed electronically by text or via computer.

Interference with another person – Theft, extortion, vandalism, defacing property, ruling games, blackmail or any other activity designed to intimidate or hurt.

Incitement of others – Encouraging or forcing others to become in bullying or bullying behaviours e.g. blackmailing, excluding or use of threatening behaviours.

Sexist – Comments or observations that are derogatory to the opposite sex.

Emotional

Psychological pressure (silent bullying) – Social exclusion, rude gestures. lying, re-organising or pressurising friendship groups or any other activity designed to intimidate or hurt an individual.

Subtle bullying – Looking at a person in a particular way, swearing at or about a person.

Cyber-bullying – Emailing or texting about a person or to a person, happy slapping, blogging or through the use of social networking sites. This also includes spreading rumours or defacing or corrupting work

Racist bullying – Name calling, incitement, making comments about a person’s country, culture, religion or appearance, commenting on parents, spreading rumours.

Faith based bullying – Making a person feel unwelcome and making comments with regard to their faith or beliefs.

Homophobic bullying – Name calling, incitement, making comments because of, or an assumption about a person’s sexual orientation, commenting on slandering parents or other relations/friends, spreading rumours. Threat of ‘outing’ or emotional blackmail.

Disabilist bullying – Bullying a person because of their disability, or perceived disability.

If you are being bullied or have witnessed the bullying of others you can report this to any of the following people (locations in brackets):

• Your Tutor (your Tutor room)
• Your Head of House (the Student Support Hub)
• Your class Teacher (your Teacher’s classroom)
• A Teaching Assistant (in class or in the Learning Support Area)
• A Peer Mentor (the Student Support Hub)
• A Meal Time Assistant (around the school site at lunchtime)
• Any member of staff that you trust

If bullying is suspected we talk to the victim(s), the suspected bully and any witnesses. If any degree of bullying is identified we always take action.

Help, support and counseling will be given as appropriate to both the victims and the bullies.

• By offering them an immediate opportunity to talk about the experience, make written statements with their class teacher, or another adult of their choice.
• Informing the victim’s parents/carers.
• By offering continuing support when they feel they need it.
• Arranging for them to be escorted to and from the School premises if they require this.

• By talking about what happened, to discover why they became involved.
• By informing the bully’s parents/carers.
• By continuing to work with the bullies in order to eliminate the source of their actions e.g. prejudiced attitudes etc…This may involve on-going counseling.
• By taking one or more of the five disciplinary steps described below to prevent more bullying:

1. The bully will be warned officially to stop offending and will be counseled to assist them in doing this. This may include disciplinary actions such as detentions. The bully’s parents/carers will be informed.
2. The bully may be isolated at break and/or lunch times or arrangements may be made to have them escorted to and from the school premises
3. If they do not stop bullying they will be Internally Excluded for a fixed period up to five days.
4. If they then carry on they will be recommended for a Fixed Term Exclusion for up to five days.
5. If they will not end such behaviour, they will be recommended for Permanent Exclusion.

• Do support the victim of bullying
• Do help others to have the confidence to tell someone
• Do report it, if you witness bullying
• Do think of other people’s feelings
• Don’t ignore the problem – it might not go away
• Don’t join in because everyone else is
• Don’t join in because you’re frightened you might get picked on