Anti-Bullying Information
At our school we always take any reports of bullying seriously and as a result of our hard work, dedication and respect for each other we have gained the ‘BIG (Bullying Intervention Group)Award’ for the third consecutive year. This important achievement demonstrates that as a school, we continue to work hard to deal with and prevent bullying wherever possible. An essential part of this work is our partnership with parents and carers who are encouraged to contact school if they have any concerns about their child’s wellbeing and particularly if they suspect they may be being bullied.
To maintain this approach and to improve our anti-bullying strategy further, our school councillors have also taken on the important roles of Anti-Bullying Ambassadors. Their role includes promoting reporting bullying and ensuring any bullying is dealt with effectively on the playground and that anti-bullying strategies are promoted effectively.
The anti-bullying ambassadors provide support for anyone that feels bullied by:
- Making sure their class knows what their role is
- Listening to children if they feel worried or concerned
- Ensuring any issues or concerns are reported to the class teacher
- Making sure that everyone acts as part of a team
- Ensuring that no child is alone at break times
- Becoming an active role model to everyone in school.
What is bullying?
The Anti-Bullying Alliance defines bullying as: “The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face to-face or through cyberspace.”
How does bullying differ from teasing/falling out between friends?
- There is a deliberate intention to hurt or humiliate;
- There is a power imbalance that makes it hard for the victim to defend themselves;
- It is usually persistent.
What do we do to educate children about bullying?
- In every classroom the children are regularly reminded about how important it is to have respect for others, to treat everyone with kindness and report any worries or concerns to an adult as part of our daily interactions
- Each year, as a school we 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, parents and carers to take action against bullying
- Over the course of Anti-Bullying Week and throughout the year we hold a number of school assemblies and each class completes activities in PSHE lessons designed at educating the children about what bullying is and how to deal with its different forms effectively
Ways of reporting bullying
- If any child witnesses bullying or they feel they are being bullied they can tell any member of staff, who will pass the information to the class teacher to be dealt with promptly.
- The child concerned or a witness can report the incident to an Anti-Bullying Ambassador and ask them to support them
- The children may also write down any worries they have about bullying into the class worry jars to be read by class teachers; they are made aware that for incidents to be dealt with they must not report them anonymously.
- Parents and carers can report any concerns about bullying to the class teacher, phone the school on 01204333444 or email to office@brandwood.bolton.sch.uk
For further information please follow the link to our school anti-bullying policy.
Useful links:
https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/
https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/cyberbullying-advice-for-parents-and-carers
