St Bede’s Catholic College

Antibullying Policy

Rationale

One of the most distressing experiences for a child is to be bullied. Sadly bullying
occurs in all schools and colleges and its effects can lead to unhappiness, loss of
self esteem and sometimes under achievement.
Bullying affects everyone, victims, bullies and those other children who witness such
behaviour.

There is no instant solution to such behaviours. What St. Bede’s would wish to do is
address issues in a balanced and rational manner in order to work towards more
harmonious and productive relationships. There is strong evidence that self esteem
is one of the most influential factors in determining behaviours. Therefore raising
self esteem is one of our core aims and opportunities to do this are sought
throughout the college experience.

Every member of the college community has the right to learn in a supportive, caring
and safe environment as well as feeling safe on their way to and from college.
However, there will be occasions where relationships break down or pupils find
themselves in conflict with others for multifarious reasons or none.

In such circumstances there should be a firm, fair, appropriate, prompt and agreed
response which emphasises that bullying is wrong and will not be tolerated. The
bully must take responsibility for his/her actions.

Bullying is typically: behaviour designed to hurt - physical or psychological -

carried out by an individual or group – deliberate
- premeditated - unprovoked - repeated over time or behaviour delivered from
a perceived position of power.

Bullying finds expression through differences, real or imagined, between

individuals or groups. Such differences can be of:
- physique – gender – social class – friendship group - sexual
- academic performance - race – age – club or team membership

Bullying manifests itself both overtly and covertly in a variety of ways such as:
incessant hitting – demanding money – spreading rumours
- teasing – pushing and kicking – making threats – social exclusion
- entrapment – cyber bullying including mobile texting, mobile camera, e-mail etc

Signs and Symptoms

A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults
should investigate if a child: is frightened of walking to or from school – doesn’t want
to go on the school/public bus – begs to be driven to school –
Changes their usual routine – is unwilling to go to school (school phobic)- begins to
truant – becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence – starts stammering –
attempts or threatens suicide or runs away – cries themselves to sleep at night or
has nightmares – feels ill in the morning – begins to do poorly in school work –
comes home with clothes torn or books damaged – has possessions which are
damaged or go “missing” – asks for money (to pay bully) – has dinner or other
monies continually “lost” – has unexplained cuts or bruises – comes home starving
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(money / lunch has been stolen – becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable –
is bullying other children or siblings – stops eating – is frightened to say what’s
wrong – gives improbable excuses for any of the above – is afraid to use the internet
or mobile phone

We aim to:
• Provide an environment in which all pupils can feel safe, secure and happy
• Ensure a fair, just, appropriate and proportional response to all incidents of
bullying.
• Enable pupils to develop a positive self-image
• Help pupils see that they are part of a community and understand the rights and
responsibilities associated with that.
• Enable pupils to understand and deal with the many and varied relationships they
have both in college and outside.
• Establish and maintain procedures so that members of the college community
know how to act if they have concerns about bullying
• Foster a “telling college” environment where pupils feel confident about reporting
incidents of bullying.
• Enable pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour.

Guidelines
• Problem solving and conflict resolution form an integral part of the Personal,
Social, Health and Citizenship Education programme.
• Bullying is addressed wherever and whenever it happens and all incidents are
followed up and logged.
• Close contact and co-operation between home and college is maintained.
• A Code of Conduct is in place and is reproduced for display in each classroom
and in homework diaries.
• Bullying is an ongoing topic for Assemblies in which pupils are encouraged to
participate.
• Staff exercise vigilance in the playground and other areas during out of lesson
time.
• At least once a year, questionnaires are used with pupils to gather information
and attitudes about bullying
• Each Year 7 tutor group is assigned two mentors who assist the tutor in the
delivery of the antibullying element of PSHCE programme. They monitor the
members of their group closely and encourage them to share any concerns which
are subsequently discussed with the Tutor/Head of Year/Head of House
• Parents are regularly reminded that they should contact the college if they have
worries or concerns about their child’s well being. Information about the college
policy on bullying is available on request.
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• Information regarding potential bullies or victims is obtained from Feeder schools
by the Vice Principal Personnel/Head of Year/Head of House and shared with the
tutor.
• Bullying incidents are dealt with so that pupils acknowledge their individual
responsibilities towards others. In extreme cases, a referral to outside agencies
or exclusion may result
• After an incident of bullying, pupils are given the opportunity to discuss their
difficulties as bullies or the bullied with their Head of Year/Head of House/tutor as
appropriate.
• Where a pupil is a persistent bully or victim of bullying, the Vice Principal
Personnel will take a personal interest in the child and arrange a mentor for
him/her within college.
• Pupils who have bullied or been the victim of bullying may work with the Pupil
Support Teacher or Learning Mentor to help them manage their difficulties.
• Incidents of recurrent bullying and the action taken by the college to resolve the
incidents are recorded by the Vice Principal Personnel and reported to the Local
Authority for monitoring and analysis purposes.

Definition of racist bullying:

Any behaviour which is seen by the victim, or any other person (e.g.
witness, parent) to be racist.

Conclusion:

This policy will be monitored and evaluated by the Vice Principal Personnel to
measure the impact of the strategies used. The information gathered will also help
the college to determine training needs for staff and pupils.

This policy has been drawn up following consultation with staff. It should be read in
conjunction with the Mission Statement, strategy for dealing with incidents of
bullying, the Code of Conduct and the policy for Good Order and Discipline. This
policy will be reviewed and evaluated on a regular basis.

Revised February 2009.

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