Pennthorpe School anti-bullying policy

At Pennthorpe we believe that considerate behaviour is essential if we are to create a good social and learning environment. It is our conviction that everyone has a right to be treated with respect and we expect members of our community to show concern for one another and treat each other with consideration for feelings, individuality and personality.

The actions of a bully within our community would destroy this harmony and so it is our firm resolve to provide a policy which will swiftly and effectively deal with the problem should it arise.

Bullying is the wilful, conscious desire to embarrass, hurt, threaten or frighten someone else.  All bullying is aggressive, whether it be physical, verbal or psychological, although the aggression may be subtle (for example in bullying by exclusion). Staff should also be alert to possible instances of racist, sexist, and also homophobic bullying - the use, for example, of the word ‘gay' in a derogatory manner is not acceptable, even where no malice may be intended.

In deciding whether or not an action can be termed bullying, one needs to judge the effect on the "victim". Should a person feel threatened or frightened to such an extent that the quality of life has suffered, then bullying has taken place.

Child involvement

The policy of the School involves the instruction of all pupils in the codes of Christian, moral and ethical behaviour, this being achieved through our Chapel Services and Form Tutor periods. Other occasional talks and lectures, based on the experiences of older members of the community also serve this purpose. Within the context of this instruction children are made aware that such anti-social behaviour cannot be tolerated and is not normal in a happy, well-balanced community.

When children encounter behaviour which they find uncomfortable, either involving themselves, their friends or others, they are encouraged to take the following action rather than feeling unhappy or frightened. They are reassured that the taking of such action will result in a swift improvement and eventual solution to their situation, not in a worsening of the bullying as is so often feared: 

(a)  Tell any member of staff.  There is no  need to feel guilty. Sharing a confidence sometimes takes courage, but will often save great unhappiness.

(b) Tell their parents.

(c)  Tell a friend and discuss strategies.

(d) If they feel they cannot talk about the problem, to write down their thoughts and         pass them to an adult.

(e) If they want to talk about the problem to someone outside the school to ask to see the local clergy who visit the school regularly or to contact Childline.

Parental involvement

It is the School's policy to work closely with parents to ensure the happiness and development of all our children. Should a parent feel anxiety concerning the happiness or well being of their child or other children, we suggest that they:-

(a)  Notify the School and arrange for an appointment to discuss the situation with the Form Teacher, the Head of the Pre-Prep School, the Headmaster or Headmaster's wife, or any other member of staff.

(b) Encourage their child to talk to  someone they trust in school.

(c)  Reassure their child that talking about the problem and working with the school will improve the situation.

We encourage parents to make their contact with the school at an early stage, as this is so much better for both the victim and the aggressor, thus often preventing a more serious situation.

Staff involvement

Intrinsic in the life of Pennthorpe is the assumption that staff should by their example of care and concern for others, provide a positive role model to pupils and colleagues. Therefore every effort is made to supervise areas where bullying could take place and at times when it is most likely to occur. Staff are encouraged not to trivialise or overlook possible bullying incidents. Any incident of bullying should be acted upon immediately in the first instance to protect the victim from any repetition.

If any member of staff is approached by a child or a parent regarding a possible bullying problem, the information is shared with the Headmaster and/or Head of the Pre-Prep School and/or the Deputy Head in the Middle & Senior School and with any other colleagues who are pastorally involved with either the aggressor or the victim.

Strategies

Strategies planned for dealing with serious individual cases of bullying are discussed and agreed with the Headmaster and the Head of Pre-Prep or the Deputy Head as appropriate. Strategies can and will vary according to circumstances and those involved. At Pennthorpe we do not believe that a single 'off the shelf' strategy can effectively address all cases of bullying in its varied forms.

All strategies must include provision for long-term monitoring of the situation to ensure that the 'cure' is permanent, must include parental involvement and must involve working with both the victim(s) and the aggressor(s).

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a new and potentially insidious new trend in bullying. 

Cyberbullying is when one person or a group of people aim to threaten, tease or embarrass someone else by using a mobile phone, the internet or other technologies.  It can take the following forms:

• Text messaging
• Mobile phone pictures/video clips
• Mobile phone calls
• Emails
• Chat rooms
• Instant messaging
• Websites (blogs, personal websites, social networking sites etc)

If any member of staff becomes aware of what they suspect to be a case of cyberbullying, it is treated just as seriously as any of the other more established forms of bullying.  Victims will be encouraged to save messages that they are concerned about and to show them to a member of staff.  Parents of the victim(s) and perpetrator(s) will normally be notified.