Every pupil in Highsted School has the right to enjoy learning, free from intimidation both in school and the surrounding community. Our school community will not tolerate bullying behaviour of any kind including unkind actions or remarks, verbal taunting and exclusion from groups. This ethos will be communicated throughout the school by the attitudes and actions of all members of the school community and through the Personal and Social Education (P.S.E.) programmes in each year group.

• To be aware of the quantity and particular nature of bullying that takes place in our school
• To be aware of areas of the school that pose a threat to pupils and to take appropriate action to reduce those threats
• To effect all changes to the school environment which may be necessary to negate bullying
• To create a caring community where no pupil need fear intimidation by promoting an 'open-listening' ethos and encouraging pupils to support one another by reporting all instances of bullying.
• To further the social, moral, spiritual and cultural development of the individual and the community.

The PSE programmes address anti-bullying issues both directly and indirectly. The content of the programmes covers specific bullying behaviour and associated areas such as self-assertiveness and responsibility towards others.

Furthermore, the teaching and learning styles employed in PSE lessons such as group work, role-play and interactive learning enable pupils to develop their self-awareness, responsibility towards others and respect for others. The development of these skills is crucial to the anti-bullying ethos of the school and the creation of a stronger community atmosphere.

Content of P.S.E. programmes

Year Seven getting to know you pocket money personal hygiene puberty Friendship Peer pressure bullying gender-stereotyping

Year Eight self-image and assertiveness Decision making people with disabilities and special needs puberty and emotions stereotyping in the workplace

Year Nine P.S.E. programme is not yet in place but the present tutorial system addresses such things as decision making and resistance to peer pressure through topics including Drugs and Sex Education.

Year Eleven assertiveness presentation skills personal qualities (work place) work experience equal opportunities Health education: personal hygiene

Senior School Students are encouraged to take on roles of responsibility in the school such as form prefects, lunchtime supervisors and counsellors. These roles enhance the anti-bullying ethos of the school community.

Details of these topics and the resources used are contained in the year group's Handbook.

Courses Of Action In Response To Bullying

• Anyone can and should report any bullying incident - whether a passer-by, a victim, or a bully.
• Pupils will be informed that someone wishing to report an incident can approach any member of staff with whom they feel comfortable. If the matter is urgent - a pupil should approach the first adult they encounter.
• All staff will be ready and willing to deal with any incident that is brought to their attention. If appropriate a member of staff will handle the situation individually. If circumstances dictate, Assistant Heads of School or Heads of School will be consulted. The latter will decide who is best equipped to handle the problem.
• When consulted about a bullying incident the member of staff handling the matter will interview separately the victim, the bully, and any witnesses in order to establish an accurate account of events. Written reports by those involved may be made.
• Sanctions for bullying will remain at the discretion of staff members. There will be a uniform but flexible approach to the decisions which will usually involve up to three members of staff e.g. form tutor, or teacher approached, Assistant/Head of School, and Mrs Linda Wybar. All factors will be considered including the nature of the incident and any previous involvement in similar offensive acts. It is to be emphasised that whilst sanctions will be seriously imposed, at times counselling for the bully may be the more appropriate response.
• A body of student counsellors is now in operation on a rotational basis providing both counselling and a 'walking duty' designed to monitor lunchtime activity. The primary role of the student counsellor is to encourage the pupils to speak to staff. In the event of a less serious bullying incident the counsellor may be able to give advice on assertiveness so that the pupil is empowered to deal with the situation. The counsellor cannot offer confidentiality and must report all incidents to a member of staff.

• Student counsellors will undergo training and regular consultation withES/HO/AP. The body of student counsellors has operated successfully since January 1995 and new counsellors from Years 11/12 are trained annually in December.

Parents have been involved with staff and students on the Anti-Bullying Working Party and have played a crucial role in the development of the whole school policy.

If a parent thinks their child is being bullied they should contact the school immediately. They should approach the child's form tutor or the Assistant Head of School, or Head of School. In the event that none of these is available they should ask for LW. Parents should also encourage the child to talk to a trusted teacher about the bullying incidents, or one of the student counsellors.

The school's normal course of action can be followed from this point.

Staffing

All staff in the school, including support staff, play an important role in communicating the anti-bullying ethos of the school community. Staff training is available for learning basic counselling techniques and listening skills so that staff can handle reports of bullying efficiently and sympathetically.

Specific staff members have particular responsibilities regarding reporting and referral of bullying incidents. Form tutors should be the first point of contact, by pupils and parents. Heads and Assistant Heads of School will be consulted, and when necessary Mrs Wybar, Evaluation and Pastoral Manager, will also be involved in order to resolve incidents of bullying.

Inset training is available on many aspects of managing bullying in schools. External courses are offered when available to interested staff. Members of the Pastoral Team possess much information on all aspects of bullying and many related issues. Information for pupils is contained in the Year Group Handbook, and the resource material for staff is available from the Assistant Heads of Schools' room.

Suggested Key Resources for Staff

DFE (1994) "Bullying: Don't Suffer In Silence" (Information pack with video)

Tattum, D. (Ed.) (1994) "Understanding And Managing Bullying" Heinemann Educational

Herbert, C. (1995) "Bullying- A Quick Guide" Daniels.

Review

The policy and its application will be reviewed by ES/HO/AP and the student counsellors in order to assess its effectiveness and monitor its success.

People Responsible

Supervision of the student counsellors is carried out on a weekly basis by Emma Scholfield, Annie Perkin and Joe Howes. Overseen by Linda Wybar (Evaluation and Pastoral Manager) .