“Bullying behaviour impacts on children and young people’s wellbeing and can affect their participation, attainment and inclusion.”

“Bullying is both behaviour and impact; the impact is on a person’s capacity to feel in control of themselves. This is what we term as their sense of ‘agency’. Bullying takes place in the context of relationships; it is behaviour that can make people feel hurt, threatened, frightened and left out. This behaviour happens face to face and online.”

Cyber-Bullying

Sending threatening or abusive text messages · Trolling on social networks, media and games · Setting up hate sites or groups about individuals · Voting against someone in an abusive poll · Encouraging self-harm · Making or sharing embarrassing images or video · Excluding others from games, networks, groups · Creating fake accounts or identity theft · Sending or pressuring to send explicit messages · Engaging in sexual conversation

When is it not bullying behaviour?

Children and young people falling out or having disagreements is a normal part of growing up and building relationships and resilience. Accidental bumps and knocks, not liking someone or expressing unpleasant thoughts or feelings regarding others can be painful or discomforting. It is important that they have opportunities to discuss how they feel and to develop resilience and emotional literacy in managing their relationships. Early intervention and prevention including the embedding of whole school relational approaches are key elements of an approach focused on ensuring we get it right for all of our children and young people.

Our Response to Bullying

The member of staff to whom the incident is first reported, or who has witnessed the incident, should take it seriously and use their professional judgement in deciding upon the appropriate course of action which may include notifying the school anti-bullying lead, supporting pupils, contacting relevant staff and wider agencies where appropriate and communicating with parents and carers again as appropriate.

In Williamwood High School, Mrs S Gibson has a whole school responsibility for overseeing the investigation, recording and monitoring of incidents of bullying behaviour. We ensure that there is an ongoing Curricular focus on bullying behaviour and that reporting procedures are in place. Information for pupils and parents and carers will be visible and accessible utilising the full range of media including leaflets, posters, social media and the school website and handbook.

Each bullying incident will be reviewed individually and a number of different practices may be adopted before finding one that is effective.

What about the Child who is bullying?

We deal with the behaviour in the same way as you would with any type of challenging behaviour

We listen and take time to discover the reasons for the bullying

We do not label the individual or group as ‘bullies’, name the behaviour

We are prepared for a strong reaction from parents, carers and young people

We are prepared to address prejudice attitudes that may be motivating the bullying behaviour

We address what’s happening behind the behaviour, even when the bullying has stopped