Castle Hill Academy Anti-Bullying Policy
At Castle Hill we aim to promote an ethos where everybody expects excellent behaviour through an agreed set of Values.
Our ideal is for children to self-regulate their behaviour and manage their emotions in any context with any adult.
Pupils learn best in a safe and calm environment that is free from disruption and in which education is the primary focus.
Bullying of any kind in our school is unacceptable. If bullying does occur, all pupils should know they can tell an adult and
that it will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a telling school. This means that anyone who knows that bullying
is happening is expected to tell the staff
Objective:
The aim of this policy is to ensure that all governors, teaching and non-teaching staff, pupils and parents:
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Have a clear understanding of what bullying is.
Know what the school policy is and what they should do if they suspect there is bullying.
Know that as a school bullying is taken very seriously.
Know that as parents and pupils you will be supported when bullying is reported.
Know that Bullying in any form will not be tolerated.
What is bullying?
Bullying is behaviour by an individual or group, repeated over time, which intentionally hurts another individual or group,
either physically or emotionally. Bullying can take many forms and can be motivated by prejudice against particular groups
including race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, perceived differences or circumstances. It can be pupil to pupil, adult
to pupils or pupils to adults.
Cyber Bullying:
Cyber-bullying is a form of bullying which can also take place outside of school through technology and social media, with
the same intention towards the targeted individual or group. The rapid development of, and widespread access to
technology has provided a new medium for ‘virtual’ bullying that can happen at all times of the day, with a potentially
bigger audience.
Prevention:
Our school values are embedded into our ethos and regularly reinforced and emphasised through assembly. Anti-Bullying
is taught through assembly and PSHE. Children know the can go to the Responsible Thinking Classroom (RTC) with any
concerns and will be listened to. An incident form is completed for all forms of bullying and action is taken to support the
victim. A log is kept of all incidents of bullying and is analysed for patterns.
Intervention:
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All reports of Bullying are taken seriously and acted on immediately.
Parents are involved so they are clear that the school does not tolerate bullying and they reinforce the value of
good behaviour at home.
All incidents are recorded. Data is analysed and any patterns or trends are dealt with accordingly.
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Punishment alone will not end bullying. However, any form of bullying will result in a internal exclusion where the
bully will reflect on their behaviour to understand the effect of their actions.
Al behaviour incident s will follow policy and stages of behaviour intervention.
Where appropriate incidents are followed up with the Restorative Approach.
Senior Leaders are available to discuss any issues with parents
Class Teachers are contactable through email or meeting.
The school will respond to bullying involving pupils whether it has taken place in or out of school.
Signs and Symptoms:
A child may indicate, by different signs or behaviour, that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these
possible signs and investigate further if a child:
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is frightened of walking to or from school and changes their usual routine/route to school
becomes withdrawn, anxious, lacking in confidence or starts stammering
cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
feels ill in the morning and doesn’t want to go to school
begins to underperform in school work
comes home with clothes torn or books damaged and has possessions go “missing”
asks for money or starts stealing money and has dinner or other monies continually “lost”
has unexplained cuts or bruises
comes home starving (money/snack/sandwiches have been stolen)
becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
is bullying other children or siblings
stops eating
is frightened to say what’s wrong
gives improbable excuses for any of the above
These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be
taken seriously and investigated as soon as possible.
What can you do if you are being bullied?
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Talk to an adult in school immediately.
Talk to somebody at home.
Try not to let the bully know that he/she is making you feel upset.
Don’t blame yourself for what is happening.
What can you do if you see someone else being bullied?
Do not ignore it. Ignoring bullying is cowardly and unfair to the victim.
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Don’t smile or laugh at the situation.
Don’t rush over and take the bully on yourself.
Don’t be made to join in.
If safe to do so, encourage the bully to stop bullying.
Let the victim(s) know that you are going to get help.
Tell a member of staff as soon as you can.
Try and befriend the person being bullied.
See attached appendix for a range of useful websites, phone numbers and help from outside agencies where appropriate
to support victims of bullying.
Written using Department for Education guidance ‘Preventing and tackling bullying 2014’ and the NSPCC Anti-Bullying
Policy Checklist.