Sturminster Marshall 
Anti Bullying Policy
Adopted: 12/11/2019
Staff Lead: Mr A Joyce Governor Committee: Curriculum & School Improvement (CSI)
At Sturminster Marshall First School we are committed to providing a warm, caring and safe environment for all our children so that they can learn and play in a relaxed and secure environment. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in school. We take all incidents of bullying seriously. Dealing with, and ways to stamp out bullying are considered by the whole school on an annual basis as part of the Twinkl Life PSHE curriculum. Children are taught not to stand by if they think bullying is happening but always to tell a member of staff.
What is Bullying?
Bullying is a deliberate, persistent action by an individual or group which hurts other people either physically or emotionally.
Bullying can take different forms:
Physical
Emotional
Attacking e.g. hitting, spitting name calling
Biting
Isolating
Stealing
Criticising
Damaging belongings
Taunting
Hiding belongings
Eye-balling
Threatening / blackmailing
Children are taught to recognise when bullying is occurring and also to consider what is not bullying. The occasional falling out with friends, disagreements etc can be the cause of some name calling or unkind actions. Developing skills to deal with this part of life is addressed through the Twinkl Life PSHE scheme and through talking things through with children when it happens.
Bullying is something done repeatedly and on purpose to intimidate, belittle, isolate or otherwise hurt the intended victim.
Racism In line with our Racial Equality policy no form of racism is tolerated. Any racist incident will be dealt with and reported to Dorset County Council.
Vulnerable children Everyone in school is aware that some children with learning difficulties or other disabilities, or in difficult social circumstances may be especially vulnerable to bullying and we are particularly vigilant in these circumstances.
High attaining or gifted pupils can also be affected by bullying and any incidents will be treated in the same way as other bullying is dealt with.
Strategies to prevent bullying
High Five to deal with bullying (twinkl)
- Ignore
- Talk Friendly
- Walk away
- Talk Firmly
- Report
- Maintain a raised awareness of bullying issues with pupils and staff through PSHE and taking part in anti-bullying weeks.
- Ensure all staff are alert to possible indications of bullying.
- Maintaining adequate supervision of all areas of school, in the classroom and at play.
- Provide equipment/activities for breaktimes including home/school link
- Regularly review the play environment
- Constant reinforcement of the ‘Together’ charter.
- Ensure pupils know that ‘telling’ is the way to make sure bullying doesn’t continue and maintain a listening environment for all those who are raising concerns about bullying e.g. worry boxes.
- Ensure that all members of the school community understand the communication pathways i.e. Staff and parents can approach the Class Teacher, Assistant Headteacher or the Headteacher
Sturminster Marshall First Schools’ approach to tackling bullying
The school takes all allegations and incidents of bullying seriously and will respond calmly and consistently to ascertain the facts. School will help and support any children who have been bullied and will work with the bully to help them change their behaviour. School will involve all parents concerned, being sensitive to the nature of all issues involved.
Sturminster Marshall First School recognises the following strategy as being effective in dealing with bullying.
Talk with the child
When the teacher finds out that bullying has occurred they begin by talking to the child about their feelings. They do not question them about specific details, but need to know who was involved.
Meet with the people involved
The teacher arranges to meet with the group of children who have been involved. This will include some children who were present, but did not participate in the bullying. A group of six to eight seems to work best.
Explain the problem
They are told about the way the child is feeling now. At no time does the teacher discuss details or specific incidents.
It is important not to allocate blame to the individuals or the group.
Share Responsibility
The teacher does not apportion blame but states they know that the group can do something about it, something to help.
Ask the group for their ideas
Each member of the group is encouraged to suggest a way in which the bullied child could be helped to feel happier.
The teacher gives some positive responses but does not go on to extract a promise of improved behaviour.
Leave it up to them
The teacher concludes the meeting by passing responsibility to the group to solve the problem. They arrange to meet with them again a week later to see how things are going.
Meet them again
About a week later the teacher discusses with each child, including the bullied how things have been going.
This allows the teacher to monitor the bullying and keeps the children involved in the process.
Child Protection
Sturminster Marshall First School recognises that under the Children Act 1989 a bullying incident should be addressed as a child protection concern when there is “reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm”. Where this is the case, our school staff will report their concerns to the Designated Senior Person for Child Protection who will refer to Children’s Services Social Care.
Monitoring and Evaluation
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains effective. Following review any amendments will be made to the policy and everyone informed.
This policy is to be read in conjunction with all other safeguarding policies.
This policy has clear links to the E-Safety Policy - https://www.sturminstermarshall.dorset.sch.uk/E-Safety-Policy/
Bullying Prejudice Related Incident Report
How we deliver the anti-bullying message at Sturminster Marshall First School:
In reception they explore ‘Its good to share’ and ‘Fabulous Friends’
Y1 Twinkl Life PSHE TEAM unit teaches teamwork, new beginnings and cooperation, developing classroom skills like listening and making good choices.
Under the relationship topic of PSHE VIPs Relationships Education PSHE unit for year 2 teaches children about special people in families and friendships, and how to care and be kind to them.
The Y3 TEAM PSHE Relationships Education unit teaches new beginnings, cooperation and teamwork, developing skills like conflict resolution and compromise.
In year 4 VIPs Relationships Education PSHE unit teach about friendships and relationships, including making friends, falling out and bullying and teasing.
Anti-bullying week is an organised national event which helps raise awareness of bullying and what can be done to tackle it. We use the Anti-Bullying Week PSHE and Citizenship KS1 Anti-Bullying Lesson Pack to explore bullying and to help them reflect on the importance of kindness. We use the twinkl Anti-Bullying Week PSHE and Citizenship KS1 Anti-Bullying Lesson Pack to explore what bullying is, the effects of bullying and what we can do to help stop bullying. It covers physical bullying, verbal bullying, social bullying and cyber bullying. It also encourages children to reflect on the power of kindness. It contains a lesson plan, presentation, sorting cards and supporting resources.
In line with the Learning Outcomes and Core Themes outlined in the PSHE Association Programme of Study which is widely used by schools in England and is recommended and referred to by the DfE in all key documentation relating to PSHE provision in schools.
The best way for us to tackle bullying in schools is:
- Have a comprehensive PSHE and Citizenship curriculum;
- Involving pupils in lessons which explore bullying, its effects and how to tackle it;
- Ensure open and honest dialogue is held between all stakeholders;
- Implement systems in which pupils feel able to share any incidents or situations that are worrying them;
- Have clear and effective anti-bullying policies;
- Use a restorative behaviour management system;
- Celebrate diversity;
- Develop positive wellbeing for all in school.
