At Whitehall Primary School we aim to provide a happy, caring and supportive environment, without the fear of being bullied. Bullying is anti-social behaviour and affects everyone; it is not acceptable and will not be tolerated in our school. Through the implementation of the Anti-Bullying Policy we seek to minimise bullying in our school, deal decisively with any bullying incidents should they occur and provide support for any victim and examine the need for support for the bully.

Definition
We define bullying as Several Times On Purpose (STOP).
It is the wilful conscious desire to hurt, threaten or frighten someone and occurs on several occasions.
Pupils are encouraged to report bullying using Start Telling Other People (STOP).
Bullying can take different forms:
physical abuse – hits, damage to property
verbal abuse – threats, insults, nasty teasing
relational – rumours, social exclusion
material – damage to belongins, exclusion
cyber bullying – bullying via text message, email, instant messaging, social networking.

Verbal bullying may take the form of homophobic language, racial abuse, sexual language, comments about disability or special educational needs, or may be directed about a person’s faith or religion.
Bullying is not a single incident of aggressive behaviour or the occasional falling out between friends. It may also involve an adult/ teacher using bullying behaviour towards other colleagues or children. Pupils who are being bullied may show changes in behaviour, such as becoming shy or nervous, feigning illness, taking unusual absences or clinging on to adults. There may be evidence of changes in work patterns, lacking concentration or truanting from school.

Aims At Whitehall Primary School
We aim to:-

• Make sure all staff follow the same approach when dealing with bullying.
• Help children understand what bullying is and what they can do if they are being bullied (STOP).
• Deal decisively with any bullying incidents.
• Provide support for victims and children demonstrating bullying behaviour.
• Respond to parental concerns about bullying.
• Assist with the acquisition of such knowledge, attitudes, skills and practical abilities that enhance life in an equal opportunity multi-cultural society.
• To keep governors, staff and parents informed of anti-bullying issues.

Download the Anti-Bullying Policy for further information.