All schools must have an anti-bullying policy. This must
be regularly reviewed by all members of the school community,
including staff, governors, parents/carers, and
students.
It is particularly desirable that students are involved in its
formation and implementation. Anti-bullying policies need to fit
with other school policies, especially Behaviour and
Attendance.
The Government has replaced its previous guidance Don’t
Suffer in Silence. For further
information see Safe to Learn: Embedding anti-bullying work in
schools. Both can be ordered free of charge from
Department for Children Schools and
Families (DCSF).
All schools are recommended to keep a centrally held log of all
incidents. Your log should include the strategies you used, and
should monitor their effectiveness. It is recommended that the
teacher responsible for anti bullying at your school is a member of
the senior management team.
Support for victims of bullying needs to be immediate and
consistent. Your school should act confidently in line with its
policy to ensure that the bullying will stop. Victims should be
given emotional as well as practical support. This should involve a
check at a significantly later date to ensure that the bullying has
not simply been diverted.
The focus of attention should include a proactive approach
towards those who engage in bullying behaviour. This includes the
use of sanctions as a consequence of the hurt they have caused.
They need to be guided and supported to change their behaviour.
Read North Somerset Anti-bullying Strategy and
Guidance to Schools for full information.
Your school’s anti bullying work will be assessed under the
Every Child Matters legislation. In schools with effective
policies the following will be evident:
- Students are encouraged to report bullying and know that they
will be listened to
- Those who are victims of bullying and harassment are given
support
- Those who bully and discriminate against others are given
support
- There is regular monitoring of incidents of bullying and
harassment and reporting to responsible bodies (for example school
governors)
- There are PSHE programmes dealing with bullying and
discrimination
- Children and young people are helped to develop socially and
emotionally
- Children and young people are helped to manage change and
respond to challenges in their lives
- Children and young people are encouraged to participate in
decision making and to support the community
- Action is taken to reduce anti-social behaviour
- Children and young people who are looked after are helped to
make a positive contribution
- Students and young people with learning difficulties and
disabilities are helped to make a positive contribution
What to Avoid
Research into behaviour and attendance (DfES 2003a) identified
the following problem areas in anti-bullying work in secondary
schools:
- Inconsistent application of procedures for dealing with
reported cases of bullying
- Minimal reporting of incidents of bullying and harassment
- Poor insight into patterns and trends
- Follow-up action to reported bullying is neglected
- Inconsistent use of anti-bullying strategies across all
staff
- Isolated areas within several school locations where bullying
often occurs
