At The Vyne Community School we strive to ensure that we create an environment where everyone, including staff, students and parents feels included, happy and safe to flourish in our school. We work closely with our community to build a respectful and caring school where we accept and respect differences. We are a “Telling” school, if someone says something, or does something you don’t like, do not retaliate - tell someone. 

The Vyne Definition of Bullying

Bullying is any repeated behaviour which causes physical, mental or emotional hurt, online or face to face. 

It can happen between friends, when a thoughtless, deliberate or intentionally cruel comment or joke causes hurt to others. When comments cause hurt to others it is not considered banter. It can include spreading rumours, gossiping and speaking badly of others. This can also include leaving someone out or excluding them from activities. 

This is a behaviour which is persistent, happens more than once and makes it hard for the target to defend themselves. 

Written by the Vyne Student Body and reviewed by the Peer Mentoring Prefects December 2023

Anti bullying systems

We also have a tiered response to make sure that on the rare occasions when bullying does occur it is dealt with fairly and robustly offering support to both the target and perpetrator. We make use of a peer mentoring scheme to provide students with an extra level of support if they are struggling. Staff receive regular training and reminders of our anti bullying processes. Our Anti-Bullying Charter is a shared agreement that is reviewed regularly of how we will treat each other and indicates that as a school we work proactively, and take seriously any concerns raised.

We were awarded the BIG Award by the Bullying Intervention Group in January of 2025, this is the second time we have received this award. The award assesses the policies and procedures used by the school and is awarded following a process in which a portfolio must be submitted for assessment. 

“The Vyne School has been a member of the Bullying Intervention Group for several years and has now achieved the BIG Award for Excellence in Challenging Bullying in 2021 and 2024. This award is achieved by schools which have a range of excellent anti-bullying strategies in place including: a peer support scheme, regular staff training, anti-bullying awareness raising and having an anti-bullying focus group and up to date, robust anti-bullying policy. Students have a reporting system should they require help, and the peer support scheme is well managed and effective, with a student reporting that they felt pleased they had someone to talk to in the first instance when they experienced an issue. Bullying can occur in any school, but The Vyne School, students, staff and parents too, are all committed to addressing and preventing it so that students can study and socialise in a happy, safe environment. Congratulations to all and well done.”

Val McFarlane, Director, Bullying Intervention Group