Anti-Bullying Policy 2024-25

At Changing Lives Independent School we recognise the significant impact that bullying can have on the welfare and attainment of young people.

Our stance on bullying is clear and regularly shared with our community.

We believe that bullying is unacceptable and unkindness should be challenged at every opportunity. Every member of our community should feel safe, welcome and happy to come to school. We operate a zero tolerance to bullying in all its forms.

Bullying is defined behaviour by an individual or a group, repeated over time that intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally.

Bullying can take many forms (for instance, cyber-bullying via text messages or the internet), and is often motivated by prejudice against particular groups, for example on grounds of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or because a child is adopted or has caring responsibilities. It might be motivated by actual differences between children, or perceived differences. The school’s first priority is to stop any violence and ensure immediate physical safety. Emotional bullying can be more damaging than physical; teachers and schools have to make their own judgements about each specific case.

Bullying often involves an imbalance of power between the perpetrator and the victim. This could involve perpetrators having control over the relationship which makes it difficult for those they bully to defend themselves. The imbalance of power can manifest itself in several ways – physical, psychological, intellectual, or social isolation.

Types of bullying might be:

• physical (hitting, kicking, theft)
• verbal (name calling, racist remarks)
• emotional (spreading rumours, excluding someone from social groups)
• cyber bullying (using a mobile phone or the internet, chat rooms, social networking sites, instant messaging or email)
• Prejudice Related Language – using racist, homophobic, biphobic, transphobic or disabilist language to denote someone as inferior.

Safeguarding and bullying
Under the Children Act 1989 a bullying incident should be addressed as a child protection concern when there is ‘reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm’. Where this is the case, the school staff will report their concerns to the local authority children’s social care.

Bullying in itself is not a specific criminal offence in the UK, however our school will bear in mind that some types of harassing or threatening behaviour – or communications – could be a criminal offence, for example under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, the Malicious Communications Act 1988, the Communications Act 2003, and the Public Order Act 1986.

If school staff feel that an offence may have been committed, they will seek assistance from the police. For example, under the Malicious Communications Act 1988, it is an offence to send an electronic communication with the intent to cause distress or anxiety, or which conveys an indecent, threatening, or false message.

Teachers have the power to discipline pupils for misbehaving outside the school premises “to such an extent as is reasonable”. This applies to bullying incidents occurring off school premises, such as on public transport, near local shops, or in town centres.

When bullying outside school is reported, it will be investigated and acted on. The head teacher will consider whether to notify the police or local anti-social behaviour coordinator. If the misbehaviour is criminal or poses a serious threat, the police will be informed.

Discipline is only applied when the pupil is under the lawful control of a staff member.

The rapid development and widespread access to technology has provided a new medium for ‘virtual’ bullying, which can occur in or outside school. Cyber-bullying can happen at any time, reach a larger audience, and be quickly amplified. Teachers can tackle cyber-bullying by searching for and, if necessary, deleting inappropriate content on electronic devices, including mobile phones (Education Act 2011).

Strategic Priorities
We aim to:

• Reduce any incidents of bullying and harassment
• Promote children and young people’s voices regarding bullying through the school council
• Ensure agencies and organisations work in partnership to tackle bullying
• Support the development of positive emotional health and wellbeing
• Achieve an accredited Anti Bullying Award
• Promote hate crime/incident reporting
• Support a range of training opportunities
• Provide advice and guidance on bullying issues

Within the school, our response to bullying begins well before an incident occurs. Staff gather intelligence about potential conflicts and develop preventative strategies. The PSHE and wider SMSC curriculum includes lessons, events, projects, or assemblies that address issues of difference.

We create an ethos of good behaviour where respect for staff and peers, the value of learning, and understanding the impact of actions are embedded in the school’s core values.

Parents are involved to ensure they understand that the school does not tolerate bullying and are aware of the procedures if their child is affected. Through specific PSHE modules on anti-bullying, all pupils know their role in preventing bullying.

Pupils are encouraged to discuss differences openly and are taught that any use of prejudice-based language is unacceptable.

We regularly update our approach to account for technological developments, including updating ‘acceptable use’ policies. Internet safety is an integral part of curriculum delivery.

Staff are trained to recognise signs of bullying and act promptly in line with school policy. Effective induction training ensures that all staff understand the school’s Preventing Bullying policy and know where to seek support.

The head teacher is responsible for implementing the anti-bullying strategy and ensuring all staff are aware of the policy and know how to handle bullying incidents.

The head teacher makes it clear to all children that bullying is unacceptable, using assemblies or other forums as appropriate.

They ensure that staff receive sufficient training to deal with bullying and work to create a climate of mutual support where every child feels valued.

All adults in our school take bullying seriously and intervene to prevent incidents. They record significant concerns on CPOMS and report them to the appropriate staff, including form tutors, pastoral managers, the head teacher, and SLT leads for behaviour.

If an act of bullying is witnessed, staff support the affected child and notify the head teacher, who then contacts the child’s parents.

Incidents are recorded on CPOMS. If parents make allegations of bullying, a parent interview is completed with a senior leader and monitored by the Headteacher and SLT Lead for behaviour.

Teachers act immediately when bullying occurs between pupils, offering counselling, support, and, if necessary, sanctions, with the aim of helping the child who bullied understand and change their behaviour.

Repeated incidents lead to discussions with parents and, in extreme cases, involvement of external agencies such as Social Services.

Staff routinely attend training to ensure they are equipped to manage bullying and behaviour issues, while creating a classroom climate of trust and respect.

Parents who suspect their child is being bullied, or may be bullying others, should contact the pastoral manager immediately. They are expected to support the school’s anti-bullying policy and encourage their child to behave positively.

Involving teachers, support staff, parents, and pupils raises awareness of the policy. Publicity may include:

• Posters created by pupils and teachers displayed around the school
• Displaying the Childline telephone helpline number – Childline: 0800 1111 (open 24hrs)
• Leaflets distributed within the school or sent home
• Anti-Bullying Week initiatives that highlight what bullying is and how to report it

School intervention with pupils who bully is aimed at showing clearly that their behaviour is wrong. Disciplinary measures are applied fairly, consistently, and reasonably, taking into account any needs or disabilities and the safety of all pupils. The school also recognises that a child engaging in bullying may need support.

The following steps are taken when an incident occurs:

• If bullying is suspected or reported, the incident is dealt with immediately by the relevant staff member.
• A clear account of the incident is recorded and passed to the senior leadership team.
• SLT interviews all concerned and records the incident with a restorative approach.
• The Head Teacher, safeguarding lead, pastoral manager, and pupil’s form tutor are kept informed.
• Parents are informed.
• Other professionals are notified as appropriate.

Pupils who have been bullied are supported through:

• An opportunity to discuss the experience with a trusted staff member
• Reassurance and ongoing, appropriate support
• Assistance in restoring self-esteem and confidence
• Restorative approaches to acknowledge the impact of bullying
• Peer mentoring, workshops, and family support

Appropriate action is taken against the perpetrator in line with the school’s behaviour policy.

All members of our community are made aware that unkindness is not welcome at Changing Lives Independent School.

Staff and students are supported to challenge and report unkindness, and all incidents are logged on CPOMS and reviewed daily by key staff.

When reporting unkindness, students, parents, or carers should speak to any member of staff.

Our response to unkindness includes:

A ‘one off’ unkind remark or comment versus continued unkind behaviour after a chance is given.

Examples include:

• A remark that causes upset, embarrassment, or annoyance and needs addressing
• Banter or jokes designed to provoke an upset reaction

Actions taken by staff may include:

• Addressing the incident during a lesson or in a one-to-one discussion to clarify what is acceptable
• If unkind behaviour continues, the student may be sent to SLT, given time away to reflect, or engaged in a restorative conversation with the teacher; contact with the child’s home may also be made.

All incidents are logged under the relevant category on CPOMS with contact made with parents or carers.

This policy is based on legislation and our duty to prevent bullying, specifically:

• The Education and Inspection Act 2011
• Equality Act 2010
• Children Act 1989
• Behaviour in Schools: Advice for headteachers and school staff, September 2022
• Keeping Children Safe in Education, 2023

In addition, this policy is based on:

• DfE guidance explaining that academies should publish their behaviour policy and anti-bullying strategy