Bullying including Cyber Bullying (online)

What is bullying?

There is no legal definition of bullying. But bullying is usually defined as repeated behaviour which is intended to hurt someone either emotionally or physically, and is often aimed at certain people because of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation or any other aspect such as appearance or disability.

Bullying can take many forms including:

• physical assault

• social bullying

• threatening behaviour

• name calling

• cyberbullying

Bullying includes:

• people calling you names

• making things up to get you into trouble

• hitting, pinching, biting, pushing and shoving

• taking things away from you

• damaging your belongings

• stealing your money

• taking your friends away from you or leaving you out

• posting insulting messages or rumours online

• threats and intimidation

• making silent or abusive phone calls

• sending offensive texts or messages

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying can also be referred to as online bullying on social networking sites, gaming sites, in chat rooms or anywhere online. Being bullied online can have a devastating impact on anyone experiencing it and it can be really hard to get it to stop.

What happens if I tell a member of staff I am being bullied?

You will be asked to give a statement to your Head of Year who will then carry out an investigation. A mediation can take place if everyone agrees to this.

What is mediation?

You and everyone else involved will sit down with a member of staff. You will be given the opportunity to hear each others' views on what happened and to try and come to some shared understanding. At the end, everyone involved will reach an agreement on how to move forward. This could mean agreeing to disagree.

Can I have someone to talk to?

If you need support, you are free to contact any staff member you feel comfortable talking to. Alternatively, please feel free click the Keep Me Safe button located under the Sidney Stringer Academy Logo. The account will be checked on a daily basis during school working hours.

What if I don't want to talk to anyone in school?

There are lots of organisations that you can talk to to get help; just click on the links below.