Anti Bullying Policy

Anti-Bullying Policy Statement of Intent Unity Academy takes bullying seriously. The school’s policy is designed, together with other key policies, to maintain a caring and supportive community thereby minimising the incidence of bullying behaviour. Where it does occur, all incidents will be dealt with swiftly in accordance with this policy.

Unity Academy Blackpool is committed to working with students and parents to provide a learning environment that is secure and supportive so that all individuals can develop academically and socially free from fear of ridicule, harassment or physical threat. Incidents of bullying will always be taken seriously and followed up by staff. Parents have an essential role to play in counteracting bullying. Where bullying is clearly established, parents of both victim and perpetrator will always be contacted and the school will seek to involve them in securing solutions.

Unity Academy believes that: • Bullying, including homophobic, racist and cyber bullying, is undesirable and unacceptable • Bullying, including homophobic, racist and cyber bullying, is a problem to which solutions can be found • Seeking help and openness are regarded as signs of strength not weakness • All members of our community will be listened to and taken seriously • Everyone has the right to enjoy and achieve in an atmosphere that is free from fear • All of us have a responsibility to ensure that we do not abuse or bully others • Children and young people should talk to an adult if they are worried about bullying, including homophobic, racist and cyber bullying, and have a right to expect that their concerns will be listened to and treated seriously • Children and young people should be involved in decision-making about matters that concern them • We all have a duty to work together to protect vulnerable individuals from bullying, including homophobic, racist and cyber bullying, and other forms of abuse • We tackle bullying, homophobic, racist and cyber bullying, best by encouraging an environment where individuality is celebrated and individuals can develop without fear

What is bullying?

Definition: ‘Bullying is behaviour by an individual or group, usually repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally’ (Preventing and Tackling Bullying, Advice for School Leaders, Staff and Governing Bodies, 2011, Department for Education)

Bullying affects everyone, not just the bullies and the victims. It also affects those other children who watch, and less aggressive students who can be drawn in by group pressure. Bullying can occur through several types of anti-social behaviour. It can be:

Physical: a child can be physically punched, kicked, hit, spat at, etc.

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Verbal: verbal abuse can take the form of name calling. It may be directed towards gender, ethnic origin, physical/social disability, or personality, etc.

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Exclusion: a child can be bullied simply by being excluded from discussions/activities, with those they believe to be their friends.

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‘Dirty Looks’ etc.: all students can ‘kill with a look’. Staff will not underestimate the power of looks or huddles of sniggering school mates to exclude and/or intimidate.

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Damage to property or theft: students may have their property damaged or stolen. Physical threats may be used by the bully to force the pupil to hand over money or property to them.

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E-Bullying: sending messages or photos, or making comments about another person whether by text or Email, or through Chat rooms or websites such as You Tube, Twitter and Facebook.

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We implement a multi-agency approach in bullying situations involving young people outside school.

Measures to Counteract the Incidence of Bullying 

Ensure adequate supervision of students before school, at breaks and lunchtimes, and after school.

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Through the School Council, review the effectiveness of the school’s measures in counteracting bullying and identifying ‘hot spots’ around the site.

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Provide a range of opportunities at lunchtimes so that students have positive activities in which to engage and bolt-holes to go to should the need arise.

Teachers will ensure that they do not use teaching materials or equipment which portray a bad or negative view of any group because of their ethnic origin, gender, ability/disability etc. 

Teachers will encourage students to treat everyone with respect through:

1. modelling the behaviour they expect through their own dealings with students 2. always challenging inappropriate responses from students towards other individuals or groups (including racial or minority groups) 3. implementing the school’s guide to rewards and sanctions (Behaviour Policy) 4. Promoting positive and caring attitudes towards minorities through the curriculum and assemblies. 

Restrict access to certain websites and monitor Email traffic through security software.

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Regulate the use of mobile phones during the school day.

Action to Be Taken When Bullying Is Suspected All staff has a responsibility to tackle bullying. If bullying is suspected staff will talk to the suspected victim, the suspected bully and any witnesses and take written statements. It is recognised that in some situations ‘victims’ may exaggerate or invent bullying incidents and members of staff need to be aware of this.

If parent’s suspect the child is being bullied their first port of call should be the class teacher or form teacher who in some circumstances may refer it to a member of the senior leadership team.

Social networking websites are sometimes used for bullying and any threats made on such a site and acted on in school will be classed as pre-meditated and are likely to result in a more severe sanction.

It should be acknowledged that it is very difficult for the school to take action on cyber bullying which has occurred outside of school time. If any degree of bullying is identified, the following action will be taken in consultation with the PCSO or a member of the senior leadership team For the Victim: 1. help, support and counselling will be given as required 2. parents will be contacted as soon as possible 3. practical steps to reassure the victim will be explored e.g. changes to class groupings or school transport arrangements, somewhere to go in free time, ‘buddies’ allocated.

For the Bully: 1. by talking about what happened, to discover why they became involved 2. informing the bully's parents/guardians 3. by continuing to work with the bully in order to modify attitudes, this can include changes to class groupings or school travel arrangements 4. by taking one or more of the seven disciplinary steps described below to prevent more bullying.

Disciplinary Steps: 1. They will be warned to stop bullying and may be given a lunch time detention.

2. Their name will be recorded and will appear on their school record.

3. Parents will be contacted.

4. If the offence is serious, or if this is a repeat offence, it is probable that parents will be invited in to school to discuss their child’s behaviour and possible strategies that can be taken to modify it.

5. They may be placed in isolation at break and lunch time.

6. They may be escorted to and from lessons, or placed in isolation during the day for a fixed period.

7. They may have their access to the internet and email withdrawn.

8. They may be banned from bringing a mobile phone into school.

9. On a second incidence of bullying, they will be given an Official Recorded Warning to go on their school file and an after school detention. A Behaviour Support Plan may be drawn up with the involvement of parents and pupil.

10. On a third incidence of bullying, or in a particularly serious case of bullying, they will be suspended for a minor fixed period (one or two days).

11. The Governors’ disciplinary panel may be convened to which pupil and parents will be invited. The purpose will include consideration of the terms under which the pupil will be allowed to continue in the school.

12. If they then carry on they will be suspended for a major fixed period (up to five days) or an indefinite period.

13. If they will not end such behaviour and/or are deemed to be a risk to the welfare and well-being of other students, they will be recommended for permanent exclusion (expulsion).

Training All staff will have regular training in identifying and addressing bullying.

Communicating the policy to parents and students Parents: 1. In the Prospectus 2. On the school website Students 1. Throughout the year during assemblies 2. Through the PD programme Monitoring 1. Senior staff and Phase Leaders discuss issues as they arise. Any change in the frequency of incidents will be readily apparent.