Bullying is: “the intentional hurting of one person by another, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. It is usually repetitive or persistent, although some one-off attacks can have a continuing harmful effect on the victim.”
Anti-Bullying Alliance
Diyafah International School believes that every child and adult should be able to work and study in a safe and enriching environment where the act of coming to school is something to look forward to. It is the responsibility of all to ensure that our community promotes mutual respect, understanding and equality where bullying is not tolerated at any time. Bullying is wrong and damages the well-being of individual children. We therefore do all we can to prevent it by developing a school ethos in which bullying is regarded as unacceptable. If it occurs, pupils, staff and parents should feel confident that they can report the behaviour and that swift action will be taken. We aim to make all those connected with the school aware of our opposition to bullying, and we make clear each person’s responsibilities with regard to the eradication of bullying in our school.
Bullying can take many forms (for instance, online bullying via email or social media – distance learning platform) and is often motivated by prejudice against 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.
Any incident of bullying should be reported to a staff member who will deal with it promptly and effectively. It is important that time is spent with the victim and the aggressor to consider the reasons.
Why a child has shown negative behaviour?
It is essential for all adults to set a good example in and around the school. The way we work with one another and our own productive and supportive relationships will provide a model for children. We should set a good example through the language and tone we use to address each other and the considered, courteous response that we expect. Mutual respect and an ethos of care is essential when building a culture which is resistant to bullying and ensuring that bullying is dealt with firmly and fairly whenever it emerges. Staff should be constantly aware that they should deal with situations calmly and that corporal punishment is expressly forbidden.
Roles and Responsibilities
The role of pupils:
- Pupils are expected to treat others fairly and with respect.
- Pupils are encouraged to tell anybody they trust if they are being bullied, and, should the bullying continue, they must continue to let people know.
- Pupils must report any incidence of bullying, even if they observe as a bystander.
- Pupils are encouraged to stand up assertively and safely to a bully and are provided with a range of strategies on how to do this, whether they are being bullied or are a bystander.
The role of parents and families:
- Parents should set a positive example to all pupils at all times.
- Parents who are concerned that their child might be being bullied, or who suspect that their child may be a bully, should contact the school where appropriate action will be taken, and the situation monitored. Parents will be informed of the outcome of an investigation and their support may be necessary.
- Parents have a responsibility to support the school’s Anti-Bullying Policy, actively encouraging their child to be a positive member of the school.
The role of the Principal:
- To implement the school anti-bullying strategy and to ensure that all staff (both teaching and non-teaching) are aware of the school policy and know how to deal with incidents of bullying.
- To ensure that all children know that bullying is wrong and that it is unacceptable behaviour at DIS. Anti-bullying events and promotions throughout the year will highlight and support why this behaviour is wrong.
- To ascertain that all staff receive sufficient training to be equipped to deal with all incidents of bullying.
- to set the school climate of mutual support and praise for success to reduce the likelihood of bullying, aggression is far less likely to be part of a student’s behaviour when pupils feel they are important and belong to a friendly and welcoming school.
The role of the teacher:
- Teachers take all forms of bullying seriously and intervene to prevent incidents from taking place.
- If, as teachers, we become aware of any bullying taking place between members of a class, we deal with the issue immediately. This may involve counselling and support for the bullied victim, and punishment for the child who has carried out the bullying. We spend time talking to the bully: we explain why the action of the child was wrong, and we endeavour to help the child change their behaviour in future.
- If a child is repeatedly involved in bullying other children, the child’s parents are requested to attend the school to discuss the situation.
- Incidents are recorded according to the school guidelines and procedures.
Procedure for Dealing with Reported Incidents
The school’s Policy should be followed in cases of reported incidents, keeping in mind that:
- The class teacher is the first point of contact for all issues.
- The Key Stage Leader dealing with reports where the behaviour continues
- Referral to an appropriate member of the SLT where interventions have failed to prevent repeats of the behaviour
- Children / Incidents can be referred to the Principal at any stage, depending upon the severity of the incident.
Opportunity is given for both victim and bully to express their point of view and time taken to find out what motivates the behaviour. Parents of both the victim and the bully will be kept informed and any actions taken by the school should be explained to them. At all times, it is stressed that bullying is not acceptable, and that action will always be taken.