National Priorities:NP3

How Good Is Our School?5.3: Meeting Learning Needs

SLT Responsible:Guch Dhillon (DHT)

Policy Implemented:February 2012

Policy Due For Review:

Introduction

We want all our studentsat Elgin Academy to be healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible, included and above all safe. These are the basic requirements for our students to grow, develop and become successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens. Under Curriculum for Excellence health and wellbeing, including the mental, social and emotional wellbeing of students, is the responsibility of all staff within the learning community.

Bullying can be a barrier to fully engaging and benefiting from the curriculum and can also prevent students from experiencing opportunities for personal development within and beyond school. It should not be dismissed as normal part of growing up, given the potential short-term impact and long-lasting consequences. Bullying is never acceptable.

Bullying

Research and practice experience over time have led to an emerging understanding of bullying as a complex behaviour. Bullying can be understood as behaviour which leaves people feeling helpless, frightened, anxious, depressed or humiliated. Bullying behaviours may include:

  1. Verbal behaviour: name calling, teasing, putting down or threatening; sending abusive text, email or instant messages (cyberspace i.e. social networking sites, MSN)
  2. Social Exclusion: ignoring, leaving out or spreading rumours; making people feel like they are being bullied or fearful of being bullied; targeting someone because of who they are or are perceived to be i.e. prejudiced based behaviours including racism, sexism, homophobia or disability.
  3. Physical behaviour: hitting, tripping, kicking.
  4. Other: stealing and damaging belongings

While previous research focused on the individual characteristics of ‘bullies’ and ‘victims’ there is now a much deeper understanding of the complexity of issues surrounding bullying behaviour and the dynamic nature of this social problem. We have therefore aimed to avoid labelling students as bullies or victims because these labels can constrain thinking of the problem as solely a characteristic of the individual, rather than as a problem that emerges from complex social dynamics (Lamb J., Pepler D., Craig W. (2009) Approach to bullying and victimization; Canadian Family Physician, 55, 356-360).

Role of Students

If students are experiencing any form of bullying then they should report it to any member of staff and their parent. They should not attempt to retaliate, for it may make matters worse.

Equally, if a student knows of someone being bulliedthen they should report it to any member of staff. If they stand and watch a student being bullied then they are as guilty! Members of staff have a way of listening to students in a confidential way – no one needs to know that they have come forward. A free confidential helpline, ChildLine, is available at 0800 44 1111.

Role of Parents

Parents should take an active role in their child’s education and enquire how their day has gone, who they have spent time with, how lunch time was spent etc. If you feel your child may be a victim of bullying behaviour, inform the school immediately by contacting the Guidance teacher. Your complaint will be taken seriously and appropriate action will follow. A free confidential helpline, ParentLine, is available at 0808 800 222.

Role of Staff

Everyone at Elgin Academy has a contribution to make to prevent and deal with bullying behaviour. Approaches that we take to counter bullying include:

  • Establishing open, positive and supportive relationships where students feel safe secure, listened to, and secure in their ability to discuss sensitive issues.
  • Modelling behaviour which promotes health and wellbeing; and understand anti-discriminatory, anti-bullying, and child protection policies.
  • Using any opportunity to discuss aspects of bullying and the appropriate way to behave towards each other e.g. the PSE programmes, year group assemblies.
  • Dealing quickly, firmly and fairly with any complaints, involving parents where necessary.
  • Having a firm but fair discipline structure. The rules are clear and easy to understand.
  • Encouragingstudents to treat everyone with respect.

School Action

If bullying is suspected PTs Guidancewill talk to the student experiencing bullying behaviour, the suspected student carrying out the bullying behaviour and any witnesses.

1)If any degree of bullying is identified the following action will be taken:

a)Help, support and counselling will be given as is appropriate to both the student experiencing bullying and the student carrying out the bullying behaviour, usually by the Principal Teacher of Guidance or other appropriate adult. This approach, nationally known as The NO BLAME approach involves identification of the causes of the bullying behaviour and the effect it has had on the victim and is sensitive to the needs of the bully as well as the victim. Usually a restorative meeting will be organised to bring both parties together.

b)This will be monitored over time limited duration to ensure that no further incidents have taken place.

2)If the bullying continues staff will:

a)Inform the student’s parents

b)Offer continuing support when they feel they need it.

c)Raise the student at welfare / multi agency meeting

d)Restrict the studentwho is carrying out the bullying behaviour from areas of the school at break and/or lunch times. They may be required to report to a member of staff at these times. Escorting the bully (ies) to and from premises

3)In cases of persistent bullying disciplinary measures may be taken in the following ways:

a)Contacting parents to inform them that the behaviour is continuing and seeking their support in minimising bullying behaviour by attending a meeting with the Principal Teacher of Guidance and the Year Head.

When all other options have been exhausted, we may look at the following disciplinary measures:

b)Multi-agency support

Formal Warning

Internal Exclusion

Exclusion

Removal from the school roll

We record and monitor bullying incidents to help us monitor the effectiveness of our policy and practice. It can also provide information on recurring patterns such as the involvement of particular students; where and when bullying takes place; aspects of prejudice or discrimination underlying bullying.