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Preventing and Tackling Bullying

Welcome to our 'Preventing and Tackling Bullying' homepage.
 
Preventing and tackling bullying is something we take very seriously here at Etwall Primary. We actively encourage children and parents to speak up about bullying issues as we tackle such matters throughout our curriculum.
 
On this page you will find our Anti-Bullying Policy and lots of information about the different types of bullying. You will also be able to find out exactly how we deal with bullying behaviour in school and the steps we take to support children through such experiences.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Bentley (headteacher) or Mrs Millward (PSHE & anti-bullying coordinator)
 
 
 
 
What is bullying? 
 
We believe that the first step in tackle bullying behaviour in school is to educate the children about what bullying actually is and what it might look like. Our message to the pupils of our school is clear:
 

Bullying is behaviour by an individual or a group, usually repeated over time that intentionally hurts another individual either physically or emotionally and involves an imbalance of power”. (DfE “Preventing and Tackling Bullying”, October 2014)

 

Bullying behaviour can include: name calling, taunting, mocking, making offensive comments; kicking; hitting; taking belongings; producing offensive graffiti; gossiping; excluding people from groups and spreading hurtful and untruthful rumours.

 

This includes the same inappropriate and harmful behaviours expressed via digital devices (Online bullying) such as the sending of inappropriate messages by phone, text, Instant Messenger, Snap Chat, through websites and social media sites and apps, and sending offensive or degrading images by mobile phone or via the internet. 

 

 All such behaviours are dealt with seriously by us at school with the support of all parents, children, staff and school governors.
Types of Bullying
 

Physical Bullying

This type of bullying  involves the use of physical force. This may involve, for example,  spiting, shoving, kicking or punching. In many instances, the aggressor is physically larger than the victim or may be within a group. Physical bullying may be used by the bully to establish superiority and continued control over a victim.

Verbal Bullying

Verbal bullying incorporates the use of words to carry out an act of bullying. In this type of bullying, the aggressor, also known as the bully, tries to verbally upset the victim through taunting and teasing. The verbal assault might focus on an individual’s appearance, lifestyle choices, intellect, skin color and even ethnicity. Most verbal bullies have a low self esteem and tend to bully others so as to increase their social standings and feel better about themselves.

Emotional Bullying

Also known as relational aggression, emotional bullying is the act of an aggressor attacking a victim on an emotional level. Emotional bullying is when someone acts in such a manner as to bring about distress to the other person. Emotional bullying may involve the spreading of rumors, excluding an individual from certain activities, refusing to talk to someone and even making a statement with an intention of hurting a person’s feelings.

Online Bullying

This is increasingly an issue for children in the modern world. Online bullying can be described as any form of bullying that incorporates the use of technology. The school is often contacted by parents in order to deal with bullying behaviour which has occurred through the internet on a range of devices including ipads, tablets, smart phones, gaming devices etc. This can often be through social media - often things like Snapchat or Instagram which primary school children are not old enough to use and are often used unchecked by parents. 

The school holds regular workshops around these issues for parents which we encourage everyone to attend as it is an increasingly problematic area for parents to deal with at home. Please look at our Online Safety section of the web site for further information.

Forms of Bullying
 
Our policy aims to clearly identify the different forms of bullying that may occur, the motive behind the bullying act. 
 
  •          Bullying related to race, religion or culture.
  •          Bullying related to SEND (Special Educational Needs or Disability).
  •          Bullying related to appearance or physical/mental health conditions.
  •          Bullying related to sexual orientation (homophobic and biphobic bullying).
  •          Bullying of young carers, children in care or otherwise related to home              circumstances.
  •          Sexist, sexual and transphobic bullying.
  •          Bullying via technology –“online bullying”
Different Families, Same Love
 
As part of our aim to tackle and eradicate bullying, both staff and pupils have been thinking about our diverse community. Through our PSHE lessons children have been reflecting on what makes a family, whether it is a mum and a dad....two mums or two dads....Children noticed that all families are very different, no two are the same. The only thing that joins each family is that fact that we all share the same love for one another.
 
We feel it is important to teach this message to children in order to stop the use of derogatory sexist or homophobic language i.e.  "that's so gay...." "Stop being such a girl...." "Man up!...." 
 
All staff including teachers, TAs and midday supervisors have undergone LGBT+ awareness training delivered by Mrs Millward in order to have a consistent approach in tackling homophobic, biphobic, transphobic or sexist language or bullying.
 
Our message is very clear: We do not tolerate discrimination against our LGBT community, nor do we accept sexist language or behaviours.
How does the school tackle peer on peer abuse?
 

The following steps will be taken when dealing with alleged bullying incidents:

 

  •  If bullying is suspected or reported, the incident will be dealt with immediately by the member of staff who has been approached. 
 
  •  A clear and precise account of the incident will be recorded and given to the head teacher and Designated Safeguard Lead (DSL), Sarah Bentley, and/or Deputy Designated Safeguard Leads, Sam Toynbee, Sarah Giles and Rick Ormiston.
 
  • The head teacher/ Designated Safeguard Lead will interview all concerned and will record the incident. A decision is made as to whether the incident is bullying.
 
  •  Teachers will be kept informed.
 
  • When responding to online bullying concerns the school will take all available steps to identify the bully, including looking at the school systems, identifying and interviewing possible witnesses, and contacting the service provider and the police, if necessary. The police will need to be involved to enable the service provider to look into the data of another user if this is deemed necessary.
 
  •  Where the bullying takes place outside of the school site then the school will ensure that the concern is investigated and that appropriate action is taken in accordance with the schools behaviour policy and/or Bullying Policy and will support parents as appropriate.
 
  •  Parents/carers will be kept informed by Mrs Bentley, Mr Ormiston, Mrs Giles or Mrs Toynbee and will work with you to support the children involved - bully and victim(s).
 
  •  Sanctions will be used as appropriate and in consultation with all parties concerned
 
  •  If necessary and appropriate, the police or other local services will be consulted
Anti-Bullying week 
 
Each year we take part in anti-bullying week. This is an important week in our school calendar and we take part in a variety of activities to help remind the children what bullying is, why it shouldn't take place and who to speak to if we are worried about someone. 
Newsround Anti-Bullying video
The Policies
 
Please see our current and updated school anti-bullying policy on the policy pages under 'key information'