Anti-Bullying

Are you worried about someone? Or concerned that someone is not behaving in an acceptable manner to you? Report it. Contact any member of staff and we can follow this up with support, advice and guidance.

You can find some useful links on this page.

What Is Bullying?

Bullying is defined as deliberate targeted hurtful behaviour, which is repeated over a period of time.

Bullying makes the victims feel uncomfortable, worthless, powerless and excluded.

Possible forms of Bullying 

Emotional     - Being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding books, threatening gestures), intimidation, spreading rumours

Physical        - Pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence

Racist            - Racist comments, taunts, graffiti and/or gestures

Sexual           - Unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments

Homophobic  - Focusing on the issue of another pupil’s sexuality

Verbal            - Name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing, racist and homophobic comments

Cyber             - All areas of the internet, such as email and internet chat room misuse, social media mobile phone threats by text messaging and calls, misuse of associated technology, i.e. camera and video facilities, inappropriate use of Whats App, and other social media.

There are various types of bullying, but most have three things in common:

• It is deliberate targeted hurtful behaviour
• It is repeated over time
• There is an imbalance of power, which makes it hard for those being bullied to defend themselves

There may sometimes be misunderstanding about the meaning of the term ‘bullying’. 

One-off incidents, whilst they may be very serious and must always be dealt with, do not fall within the definition of ‘bullying’. 

Strategies To Develop A Positive And Safe Climate

There are lots of steps taken at St Matthew’s to educate, prevent and resolve issues around bullying.

• Anti-bullying curriculum Form Time/PSHE/RE/English/ Humanities/Drama
• Anti-Bullying policy promoted throughout the school with posters and notices on corridors and classrooms
• Staff support and guidance for pupils
• Peer support and student leadership
• Support groups in conflict management/relationships/life skills
• Website reporting systems

Anyone reporting that they are being bullied will be:

• supported by their Head of Year/Pastoral Manager/pastoral support staff and Form Tutor;
• listened to in a confidential and safe environment;
• assured the incident will be investigated, recorded and a response given within two school days;
• kept informed at all stages of any action being taken against the person who has bullied them.

Anyone identified as bullying will be:

• interviewed by a member of the Pastoral team;
• given a copy of the interview within three school days;
• offered a restorative programme if appropriate (written apology/making amends to the person, attending an anti-bullying class promoting the school’s anti-bullying policy);
• dealt with following the school’s disciplinary policy if appropriate (letter/meeting with parents, interview with Pastoral Team, detention, short term exclusion);
• informed that a record will be kept of the incident and outcome.

Persistent bullying behaviour will be treated in line with the school’s behaviour policy with consequences leading up to, and including, permanent exclusion.