What is "bullying"?
Bullying Definition
At Our Lady and St Rose of Lima Primary School, it is important that our whole community, including the children, have a shared understanding and definition of what bullying is: Repeated, negative behaviour that is intended to make others feel upset, uncomfortable or unsafe.
We believe that for a behaviour to be considered bullying, it must be persistent and goes on over time and that it is deliberate and not accidental.
It is important to distinguish between normal growing up and finding your place in class or in the playground and real, systematic bullying. Not all unkind behaviour is bullying.
Types of bullying
We teach children that bullying can take place in four main contexts:
- Verbal
- Physical
- Indirect
- Cyber/Online
How the school responds to an allegation of bullying
We aim to tackle bullying by trying to prevent it from happening in the first place and by tackling it consistently and fairly when it does.
Ways we are proactive (preventative)
Weekly RSHE lessons are timetabled and delivered by class teachers which follow a comprehensive scheme of work from Ten Ten, as recommended by the Birmingham Diocese. As part of the curriculum, children learn about developing positive relationships, living together as a family and about aspects of bullying & how to prevent it.
Leaders, teachers and support staff continually link all aspects of behaviour, including anti-bullying messages, school mission: Learning, Living, Loving together in Christ
This is achieved through the presence and visibility of the school values around the school building, including classrooms; as well as through weekly assemblies and weekly “stars of the week” assemblies and our Class Wish and Catholic Virtues’ Luminary awards which are given out half termly.
The Lighthouse Group contribute to anti-bullying by leading anti-bullying and good behaviour assemblies and the formation of child friendly policies all of which are shared with our parents. Click here to read the child-friendly anti-bullying policy.
Ways we respond to an allegation of bullying
If an allegation of bullying is made by a child or by a parent, in the first instance the child’s class teacher will undertake an investigation to ascertain details from the alleged victim and the alleged perpetrator. The class teacher will inform a senior leader who may support in the investigation or liaise with the parent/s.
Following the initial investigation, a decision will be made to decide if the allegation of bullying is founded.
OUTCOME 1:
The investigation has shown unkind behaviour by a child/children but it is not deemed to be bullying (not meeting our shared characteristics cited above).
ACTION:
Parents of the alleged victim will be informed of the investigation outcome either by letter or in a face-to-face meeting.
Individual children will be spoken to by their class teacher or a senior leader about how their actions and behaviour have made another child feel.
Bespoke RSHE lessons or circle times will be delivered by the class teacher to address behaviours specific to the allegation.
The class teacher and Senior Leadership Team will continue to informally monitor the children involved.
OUTCOME 2:
The investigation has shown behaviour by a child/children is deemed to be bullying (meeting aspects of our shared characteristics cited above).
ACTION:
Parents of the victim will be informed of the investigation outcome either by letter or in a face-to-face meeting.
Individual children will be spoken to by their class teacher or a senior leader about how their actions and behaviour have made another child feel.
Parents of the perpetrator/s will be contacted and a meeting will take place to inform them of the behaviours.
Bespoke PSHE lessons or circle times will be delivered by the class teacher to address behaviours specific to the allegation.
The perpetrator/s will be given the chance to change their behaviour.
The class teacher and Senior Leadership Team will formally monitor the children involved and report back to all parents involved after a pre-determined period of time.
Support for parents
The Anti-Bullying Alliance has produced a concise, clear guide for parents about anti-bullying. In addition to anti-bullying information, it also offers a range of activities for parents to complete with their child/ren at home to discuss bullying and advice that can be given to children at home.
Click here for the link to the interactive anti-bullying information tool for parents and carers.
Furthermore, these websites may be useful for parents: