The Forest Academy

Anti- Bullying

Bullying is something that we take very seriously in our school and we will always respond proactively to any information which suggests that it may be happening. We believe that we have a duty to educate and empower both those being bullied and the children instigating the behaviour so that both develop the skills and attitudes to ensure that the cycle of bullying will cease. We do not tolerate bullying in any form and teach all children that nobody deserves to be bullied. We are a TELLING school: we encourage all members of our school community to report bullying to a trusted adult, either in school or at home.

We do not talk about ‘bullies’ or ‘victims’. This is because words like these label people. We are talking about behaviour, not a fixed way a person is. We are all capable of bullying behaviour and we recognise that bullying is deeply damaging for both the person being bullied and the person doing the bullying. Please do not advise your child to ‘hit back’ and ‘stand up for themselves’ if they talk to you about the behaviours of others which are making them unhappy – please come and talk to us so that we can help all parties seek a resolution.
 

What is Bullying?

Bullying is ‘Behaviour by an individual or a group, usually repeated over time, which intentionally hurts another individual either physically or emotionally.’

 

S everal

T imes

O n

P urpose

 

Bullying is:

• Deliberately hurtful

• Ongoing

• Unequal and difficult to stop by the person being bullied

Can be indirect or direct

⇒physical (e.g. hitting or kicking)

⇒verbal (e.g. abuse or name-calling)

⇒non-verbal (e.g. gestures and looks)

⇒psychological (e.g. excluding or threats)

 

Bullying is not:

• a one-off argument or fight
• a friend sometimes being nasty

If your child is being cyberbullied

• Make sure your child does not retaliate or reply to cyberbullying messages of any kind.

• If you need to, you can help your child to change their contact details (email, online username, mobile phone number).

• Use the security tools on your family’s computer, on websites or on your child’s mobile phone.

• Save evidence of offending emails, text messages or online conversations.

• Report cyberbullying. You can report the incident to school, the website or service provider, and, in serious cases, the police.

 

What is cyber-bullying?

Cyber-bullying is bullying that occurs via mobile phone or the internet.

Key rules for your child

⇒ Think before you send a picture or message about yourself or any other person. It doesn’t take long for it to be shared with every single person you know. What you think of as a joke might be really upsetting for the other person.

⇒ Never give out personal information when it can be shared with others. You may trust your new friends but you don’t know his or her friends.

⇒ Treat your password like your toothbrush – don’t share it with anyone!

⇒ If you receive nasty messages, texts, comments etc, block the person sending them and always report it to an adult (your parent, teacher).

⇒ Don’t reply to a bullying message but do keep it – whether it is a picture, message or online posting.

 

Whole school Anti-bullying work

Throughout the year we teach our children PSHCE.  This involves assemblies and class work which develop social, emotional and behavioural skills in children:

⇒ Self awareness

⇒ Managing Feelings

⇒ Motivation

⇒ Empathy

⇒ Social skills

What to do if your child is being bullied

⇒ Help your child to talk to you.

⇒ Praise your child for telling you.

⇒ Help your child feel valued and important.

⇒ Make sure your child knows who to go to for help.

⇒ Tell your child you need to involve the school.

⇒ Collect any evidence eg who did what, when, and what was aid and done.

⇒ Keep any text messages, emails or website comments.



What to do if your child is a witness to bullying

⇒ Help your child to tell you what is happening.

⇒ Remind your child that they are not ‘grassing’, they are helping stop a dangerous situation.

⇒ Talk to your child about what they can do to help a child who is being bullied:

⇒ tell a teacher what is going on

⇒ be friendly to the other child

⇒ include the other child in games



 What to do if you are told your child is bullying others

⇒ Listen to their side of the story.

⇒ Try not to call them a ‘bully’ – it’s a label that sticks.

⇒ Remind them that you love them – it’s the behaviour that you do not like.

⇒ Talk to them about other people’s feelings and how much their behaviour hurts, upsets and frightens the person they are bullying.

⇒ Talk to them about anything that is making them unhappy or angry.



 

For more information on Anti-Bullying please see the following Anti-Bullying Policy Helplines and websites:

www.bullying.co.uk

Childline: 0800 11 11 Free, confidential helpline for children and young people. Trained volunteers offer advice 24 hours a day, by phone and online www.childline.org.uk

Parentline Plus: National charity that works for and with parents. Call 0808 800 2222 for immediate support and advice for parents, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. www.parentlineplus.org.uk

Kidscape: 08451 205 204 A telephone helpline for parents and carers of bullied children www.kidscape.org.uk

CyberMentors: Safe social networking site providing support for young people affected by bullying. Young people aged 11-25 are trained as CyberMentors so they can offer support and advice. www.cybermentors.org.uk

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) Organisation dedicated to stopping sexual abuse of children – also provides help and advice on cyberbullying website for children and young people about staying safe online. www.thinkuknow.co.uk