Safeguarding Children

Anti-Bullying Policy

Earlsheaton Technology College does not tolerate bullying in any form. All members of the school should commit themselves to ensuring a safe and caring environment, which promotes personal growth and positive self-esteem for all.

Earlsheaton Technology College is committed to the principle that all members of the school community have the absolute right to work in a safe and secure environment and to be protected from others who may wish to harm, degrade or abuse them.

Earlsheaton Technology College accepts totally that it has a responsibility for responding to all incidents of bullying and harassment and to emphasise to all pupils members of staff and parents/carers the school´s policy towards bullying.

A Definition of Bullying:

Bullying is an act of aggression that causes embarrassment, pain of discomfort to others
It can take a number of forms: physical, verbal, gesture, extortion and exclusion
It is an abuse of power
It can be planned or organised or it may be unintentional
Individuals or groups may be involved

Examples of Bullying Include:

Any form of physical violence such as hitting, pushing or spitting on others
Interfering with another's property by stealing, hiding, damaging or destroying it
Using offensive names,teasing or spreading rumours about others or their families
Belittling others´ abilities or achievements
Writing offensive notes or graffiti about others
Making degrading comments about another's culture, religious or social, background
Hurtfully excluding others from a group
Making suggestive comments or other forms of sexual abuse
Ridiculing another´s appearance
Forcing others to act against their will
Sending abusive or threatening messages via mobile telephones, e-mail, other electronic means or abusive comments on social networking sites
Taking and sharing of images taken without active consent

Aims of the Anti-Bullying Policy

To fulfil the school’s statutory responsibility to respect the rights of all members of the school community and to safeguard and promote their welfare
To respond to the issues of bullying behaviour through the implementation and publication of a whole school policy and procedures

Objectives of the Anti-Bullying Policy

To raise awareness amongst staff, pupils, parents/carers about the issue of bullying in order to create an environment in which bullying is unacceptable
To be proactive in the prevention of bullying
To make pupils, parents/carers and staff aware of the steps to take when an incident of bullying has occurred
To demonstrate to bullies that their behaviour is unacceptable and to reassure that action will be taken to keep them safe
To record accurately all incidents of bullying and to monitor the effectiveness of strategies for bringing it under control
To use restorative practices to enable bullies to understand the impact of their behaviour and how they may repair the damage that they have done with the view to changing their behaviour

Prevention Strategies

All staff will be made aware of the policy through whole school briefings
Staff will be encouraged to apply this policy consistently when episodes of bullying behaviour are reported or witnessed
Staff will constantly re enforce the anti bullying message to pupils
Key staff will be trained in restorative practices
Pupils will be informed of the policy and actions that they can take through
- Assemblies
- Tutor time
- PHSCE units
- Information in their planner
- Information on school website
- An on line reporting system will be available through the school’s website
- Parents will be informed of reporting procedures through the school brochure and school website
- Incidents of bulling will be recorded via the Shirelands behaviour log
- Form Tutors and members of the Welfare Team will support individual victims and refer to designated members of staff as appropriate
- Incidents of racist bullying will be recorded and information logged with the Local Authority

This Requires All Staff To:

To be role models in word and action at all times
To be observant of signs of distress or suspected incidents of bullying
Make every effort to remove occasions for bullying by active patrolling during supervision duties
Arrive at class on time and move promptly between lessons
Take steps to help victims and remove sources of distress without placing the victim at further risk
Report suspected incidents to the appropriate staff member who will promptly follow designated procedures

This Requires Students To:

Refuse to be involved in any bullying situation
If present when bullying occurs take some form of preventative action
Report any incident or suspected incident and help break the code of secrecy
To be aware of their own conduct towards others

The School Recommends That Parents:

Watch for signs of distress in their child
Take an active interest in their child’s social life and acquaintances
Advise their child to report to a member of staff about any bullying incident
Inform the school if bullying is suspected
Tell their child that appropriate parental involvement may be necessary
Keep a written record of incidents(times, dates, those involved etc)
Do not encourage retaliation
Be willing to attend meetings at school if their child is involved in any bullying incident either as victim or bully
Be willing to inform the school of any suspected cases of bullying even if their own child is not directly affected

Procedures for Staff Dealing With an Incident of Bullying

Interview all parties separately and as tactfully and as objectively as possible
Keep a record of dates, times names and behaviours
Ensure a member of the appropriate Welfare Team is informed
If appropriate inform parents of the situation and steps that are to be taken
If appropriate bring both parties together for reconciliation using restorative practices
If appropriate invite parents of both parties into school to discuss the situation
If appropriate decide upon an appropriate punishment. Such sanctions might include:
- A letter of apology
- A detention
- Inclusion on Pupil´s Conduct Log
- A letter informing parents
- Behaviour report
- Referral to Deputy Headteacher, for consideration of fixed term exclusion

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