Anti-bullying
Anti-bullying
At Cottesmore St Mary, we have a firm commitment to every child and their wellbeing. The aim of the Anti-bullying policy is to ensure that pupils learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment without fear of being bullied.
What is bullying?
Learning to understand and manage conflict is an important part of growing up. Bullying is not simply a 'falling out'. Research shows that experiencing bullying can have a significant impact on a child's life well into adulthood. To ensure we are able to prevent bullying, act quickly when it takes place and avoid misidentifying bullying, it is vital that schools and other settings have a shared definition of bullying. This should be understood by the whole school or setting including parents, young people and all staff.
Bullying is: 'Behaviour by an individual or a group, usually repeated over time that intentionally hurts another individual either physically or emotionally'.
At Cottesmore St Mary, we remember the anti-bullying definition as:
Several Times On Purpose
Bullying behaviour can be:
Physical – pushing, poking, kicking, hitting, biting, pinching etc.
Verbal - name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, threats, teasing, belittling
Emotional – isolating others, tormenting, hiding books, threatening gestures, ridicule, humiliation, intimidating, excluding, manipulation and coercion.
Sexual – unwanted physical contact, inappropriate touching, abusive comments, homophobic abuse, exposure to inappropriate films etc.
Online /cyber – posting on social media, sharing photos, sending nasty text messages, social exclusionell your parents/carers or a trusted grown up if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried online.
Indirect - Can include the exploitation of individuals.
Some forms of bullying are attacks not only on the individual, but also on the group to which they may belong, e.g.:
Racial harassment and racist bullying
Sexual bullying
The use of homophobic language
Bullying of pupils who have special educational needs or disabilities.
How do we educate the children about bullying?
Each year, we as a school take part in Anti-Bullying Week (held in the month of November). Anti-Bullying Week shines a spotlight on bullying and encourages all children, teachers and parents to take action against bullying. Over the course of Anti-Bullying Week, we hold a number of school assemblies and each class completes a number of activities designed at educating the children about what bullying is and how to deal with its different forms effectively.
Creating an anti-bullying climate
Our school’s Behaviour Policy explains how we promote positive behaviour in school to create an environment where pupils show each other respect; where pupils take responsibility for each other’s emotional and social well-being; and where they include and support each other.
We also draw on the school’s EPR curriculum and promote appropriate behaviour through direct teaching, and by creating an emotionally and socially safe environment where these skills are learned and practised. Our aim is to create a climate where bullying is not accepted by anyone within the school community.
Anti-bullying policy
Our school’s Anti-Bullying Policy is reviewed and updated annually to incorporate feedback from pupils, staff, parents and members of the school community. You can access a copy on the following link or alternatively paper copies are available from the school office.
Click image to view pdf
In addition, we have a "child-friendly" version of this policy, ‘Cottesmore St Mary’s Guide to Anti-bullying’ which has been written by and for Cottesmore children. You can access a copy of this document here and paper copies are available in classrooms and from the school office.
Click image to view digital book
Click icon to view the guide as a pdf
Please click here for the Council 'Safe from bullying' leaflet which aims to support parents and carers to work with schools to resolve bullying issues - Signpost to parent carer leaflet
Click here to find out about the Community Casework Safety Team - a Council service which can offer mediation in bullying cases.
Safe and Well at School Survey
Every two years, we take part in a city-wide survey wherein the children in Years 4,5 and 6 are asked to give their views on bullying in our school. We analyse the results of this survey annually and then take findings to the School Council to discuss and decide on actions we can take to improve the situation. Other year groups are also surveyed to find out their views on aspects of school life such as the playground and friendships.
Peaceful Problem Solving (PPS)
PPS is a school-wide code of behaviour aimed at dealing with the management and fair resolution of conflict. It involves the children in talking through their conflicts and associated feelings with the use of a mediator. It is applied around the school and in the playground. All staff are taught the steps involved in PPS and how to use them to tackle conflict situations.
Useful Anti-bullying website links:
Information about cyber bulling:
Anti-Bullying Information Tool for Parents & Carers advice about bullying: