Dealing with bullying

SMT LEAD: Head of Pastoral Care

Review date: Under review

We want to ensure that all staff within Inaura school understand and undertake effective action in tackling bullying which is a whole school responsibility.  At Inaura, children are supervised on a 1:1 basis and this reduces enormously the opportunities for bullying which occur in other schools.  However, there are numerous ways that bullying can take place outside of school, and intimidating threats can still be made. 

Bullying is reported on the running records system under its own category

The policy defines bullying and that bullying can be made worse by collusion of adults

Reference documents  include The Education and Inspections Act 2006, The Equality Act 2010, The Children Act 1989;  Criminal law may also be applicable
 
Bullying outside school premises is also a school issue and can also disrupt personal, social and educational achievement.
 
Prevention
•    Discourage students from using bullying behaviour at home or elsewhere.
•    Offer ways to resolve difficult situations without using violence or aggression.
•    Watch out for signs that students are being bullied, or are bullying others.
•    Do not dismiss negative signs.
•    Many common anxiety-related symptoms may indicate bullying is taking place.
•    Sudden changes in student preferences can indicate that the student is trying to avoid bullying.
•   
All incidents of bullying should be discussed immediately with the Head of Pastoral Care.  Make sure that the Head of Pastoral care is aware that you have made a bullying report and can advise on the best restorative approach. Protective Behaviour training should always be considered
 
The policy includes a useful names and numbers for advice guidance and support

Cyber bullying is dealt with under a separate cyber bullying policy.