Anti-Bullying and Cyberbullying Policy

Anti-Bullying and Cyberbullying Policy Whole School

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DATE REVIEW DATE

February 2023 February 2024

Owner Version Number: Working Date: Legal Sign off by: Date: Type of Policy:

Headteachers Ver04 (no change)

Authorised by Exec: Effective date of Policy: Circulation:

Exec 23/02/2023 23/02/2023 Internal, Parent Portal, Staff Handbook

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CONTENTS 1.

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY ................................................................................................ 3 1.1.

Rationale ............................................................................................................... 3

1.2.

Expectations ......................................................................................................... 3

1.3.

Management of anti–bullying ............................................................................. 4

1.4.

Review and Development................................................................................... 4

1.5.

Bullying Report Process......................................................................................... 5

1.6.

Cyberbullying ........................................................................................................ 6

1.

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

1.1. Rationale JESS aims to ensure that all students learn in a mutually supportive, caring and safe environment without fear of being bullied. Bullying is an anti-social behaviour and is recognised as deliberate, hurtful behaviour which is repeated over a period of time.

We believe there are three main forms of bullying: •

Verbal: e.g. name calling, teasing, insulting, writing notes, making threats or abuse of any kind, including online or by electronic media.

•

Physical: e.g. hitting, kicking, spitting, removing belongings, damaging property.

•

Emotional: e.g. ostracising, tormenting, spreading rumours, gesturing.

•

Discrimination: e.g. the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, gender, or disability.

1.2. Expectations •

Staff work to sustain an environment which inherently assumes a culture of mutual self-respect within which bullying is not tolerated.

•

Close day to day working relationships between staff and students should facilitate relaxed and open contact where such disclosures can readily take place.

•

Staff should promote awareness of the nature of bullying through the curriculum e.g. in PSHE, tutorials, assemblies, circle times and subject areas where appropriate to prevent such behaviour.

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•

All staff should consistently follow the bullying report process (below) for Primary and Secondary.

•

If a child disclosed at home, or parents suspect that their child is a victim of bullying behaviour, they should inform the school without delay.

1.3. Management of anti–bullying •

Bullying is not tolerated at JESS and any reports of bullying will always be taken seriously, following the bullying report process which is closely linked to our behaviour procedures.

•

Confidentiality and sensitivity are essential in all reported cases of bullying.

•

Staff will act as a voice for students of determination who, due to the nature of their learning needs, are unable to advocate for themselves.

•

Where a student of determination is the perpetrator, staff must sensitively determine whether they are acting knowingly and wilfully and assign consequences accordingly.

•

The consequences assigned to a student of determination will be considered in line with their individual profile.

•

We will keep an open mind. Bullying can be difficult to detect, so a lack of staff awareness does not mean bullying has not occurred

•

The Senior Leadership Team have a responsibility to ensure staff are kept up to date with current bullying trends, identification and support for bullies and victims through appropriate training.

•

Pupils will be regularly informed that as well as their Class Teachers/Form Teacher/Subject Teacher the following staff will be available for discussion if any issue is bothering them: Jumeirah/Primary/Secondary The Headteacher The Deputy Headteachers The School Nurse The School Counsellor

•

Together with the appropriate SLT member, a plan of action designed to support the victim and reform the behaviour of the student showcasing bullying behaviour will be issued and implemented

•

In any case of bullying the student should continue to be monitored after action has been taken.

1.4. Review and Development This policy will be reviewed and developed by the Assistant Headteachers/Deputy Heads of both primary and secondary on an annual basis.

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1.5. Bullying Report Process Non negotiable All alleged reports of bullying are: •

Taken seriously and carefully recorded.

•

Fed back to the class teacher/form tutor who, in conjunction with the DHT/AH completes the following process.

YGL/HoY/FT & CT must gather all evidence, investigate and decide... *DH/AHT must be kept informed and involved as appropriate.

Does this constitute bullying (as per the School Definition)?

Is this a one-off incident?

Yes

No

•

Decide on a course of action.

•

Let parents know.

Constitutes Stage 1

Yes

Form a plan of action that ensures the following areas have been covered. That: • • •

iSAMS entry •

•

All teachers are aware of what has happened, who is involved and what is being done.

There are suitable consequences/sanctions for a student showcasing bullying behaviour and support strategies for the victim.

Parents and children of both the student showcasing bullying behaviour and thevictim must be made aware of the outcome.

Any curriculum support deemed necessary has been set up.

For example: o Circle time o Buddies o Special assemblies o Social stories o Designated staff – DHT/AH, Nurse Check-in points have been established with the children/ parent involved to ensure the situation has stopped and that both victim and bully have slotted back into school life.

Primary Stage 2/3 of Behaviour Disciplinary process. A record has been attached to child’s iSAMS profile.

Secondary: iSAMS entry

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1.6. Cyberbullying •

Cyberbullying is bullying with the use of digital technologies.

•

JESS promotes a clear and positive behavioural online culture.

•

All students are made aware of the impact of cyberbullying and the ways it differs from other bullying - including the risks of misinterpretation of comments posted.

•

Students and parents must sign the Student Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Acceptable Use Agreement (applicable to Years 3 to 13) which asks students to undertake that they will not use their device to intimidate, bully or otherwise harass other people and will report offensive or inappropriate content/images to my teacher in the event that the situation occurs.

•

A planned online safety education programme takes place and is fully embedded in all aspects of the curriculum in all years and in other school activities, including extended provision. Students understand the risks associated with the use of mobile technology and are encouraged to be responsible users, both in school and beyond.

•

Students are made aware that some cyberbullying activities could be criminal offences. Students and staff understand that the school may take action and intervene, where appropriate, in online incidents that take place beyond school.

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Teachers may investigate a student's device if it believed to be involved in cyberbullying.

•

Strategies are regularly reviewed in the light of current practice and changes in technology and JESS is rigorous in monitoring and applying an appropriate and differentiated range of strategies.

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Restrictions and filters are in place on all student devices during the school day. Mechanisms are in place to monitor and intervene when issues arise.

•

There are clearly known and understood systems for reporting online safety incidents.

•

The culture of the School encourages all members of the School and its wider community to be vigilant in reporting issues, in the confidence that issues will be dealt with quickly and sensitively, through the school’s escalation processes.

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JESS will take all reasonable steps to block access to unsuitable internet sites, including social networking sites, chat rooms and individual website owners/forums and message board hosts. JESS has control of the filter and so is able to respond immediately to the emergence of new sites.

•

JESS is able to conduct a search of internet use records and this is made known to students as a disincentive for students to misuse school equipment and systems.

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•

JESS has carefully considered its approach to online safety and provides a consistent online safety message to all members of the school community, through a variety of media and activities that promote whole school input.

•

JESS reinforces statutory guidelines about the use of social network sites e.g.

Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat.

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