The Archbishop Lanfranc School

Rationale

There are two main purposes of this policy:

• To ensure that all in our school community can work and play in an environment which is free from bullying
• To ensure there is consistency of approach in dealing with bullying

Aims

• To take positive action to prevent bullying from occurring through positive teaching of PHSE.
• To encourage all adults in school to take a strong and open stand against bullying.
• To encourage pupils to accept that it is not wrong to “tell”.
• To ensure that something will be done to stop bullying when it is reported.
• To inform pupils and parents of the school’s expectations and to foster a productive partnership which helps maintain a bullying-free environment.

Procedures

• Staff should treat any report of bullying seriously.  Comments such as “ignore it and they will stop” or “you are too sensitive” are not appropriate:  pupils should be assured that they have acted correctly in reporting bullying.
• Staff should first listen to the pupil or pupils and then investigate as fully as possible, listening to all parties involved in the bullying.  If appropriate ask them all to write down what happened.
• Staff should make a written summary and pass it on to the form tutor, YCO, HOD and the school office where it will be filed electronically and centrally.  Check whether parents should be informed.
• Staff should attempt to give advice on how to deal with repeat incidents.
• Staff should make sure that the bullying is dealt with in terms of sanctions administered and the victim counselled/helped.
• Staff should check that the bullying is not continuing.
• Staff should at all times display by example the values in which the school believes.