Contact us on 01803 712363 or admin@blackawtonprimary.org.uk​

If you have an urgent safeguarding concern contact MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) on 0345 155 1071 or email: mashsecure@devon.gcsx.gov.uk​

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At Blackawton we support children to learn about how to keep safe online to find out more and for helpful advice please check our safeguarding documents.

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The Blackawton Anti-Bullying Philosophy is there to support our aims and to ensure that pupils learn in an environment without fear of being bullied. Bullying is anti-social behaviour and affects everyone; it is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We acknowledge that to allow or condone bullying may lead to consideration under child protection procedures. Only when all issues of bullying are addressed will pupils be able to fully benefit from the opportunities available at schools. The Blackawton Anti-Bullying Policy is firmly in line with the aims of the Blackawton Way. It has also been created in line with the Child Protection, SEN, and Equality Policies, alongside Devon guidance.

 

Our Values

We believe all members of our school community should aspire to values we hold as a Rights Respecting School which support the implementation of the Blackawton Way.

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The aim of Blackawton Primary School is to provide a safe, caring, inclusive and happy environment where there is mutual respect, an emphasis on good manners and understanding across the school community. All members of the school community are encouraged to develop into responsible citizens. The school also aims to enable effective communication of the Anti-Bullying Policy to all stakeholders including pupils, parents and staff through a variety of methods:

• In school assemblies

• On the Blackawton Primary School website

• Through the Blackawton Primary curriculum

• Shared at parent workshops

• Shared at parents evenings

 

Developing effective anti-bullying practice is essential because it promotes:

• Individual and collective wellbeing.

• Increased educational attainment.

• Good attendance.

• Positive behaviour.

• The school as a caring establishment.

• A safe, secure and happy environment.

• A consistent approach for all members of the school and wider community.

• Early intervention to support a change in patterns of behaviour.

• A coherent management strategy.

• Active citizenship by increasing participation of pupils, staff, and parent carers.

 

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How we prevent bullying

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• Developing the PSHE curriculum materials throughout the school to develop the five ‘aspects’: self-awareness, managing feelings, motivation, empathy and social skills as a basis for planning.

• Online Safety taught through the Computing curriculum

• Involving the whole school community in writing and reviewing the policy.

• Circle time on bullying issues.

• Assemblies at targeted times during the year and in response to arising issues.

• Raising awareness of Bullying for all stakeholders during initiatives such as Anti-Bullying Week.

• Publishing useful links on the school website focusing on anti-bullying and how to deal with bullying effectively.

• Family groups/ Buddy system and peer support for younger children.

• Establishing Online Safety rules and ensuring they are displayed

• Information leaflets/ Digital Parenting magazine

• Using drama activities and role play to help children become assertive in dealing with bullying situations.

• Promotion of a positive playground ethos using traditional games as a proactive strategy to anti-bullying.

• Everyone in the school community to model appropriate behaviour to each other.

• Providing Anti-Bullying training for all staff on a regular basis.

• The use of restorative practices across the school to ensure empathetic proactive approaches.

• To ensure the allocation of an Anti-Bullying and Behaviour Governor role.

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Why does bullying happen?

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Children bully for various reasons. It could be they want to be ‘in’ with a cool gang or that it feels like fun but they don’t realise how much it hurts. It could be that they dislike or are jealous of someone or that it makes them feel powerful or respected. Sometimes they feel it gets them what they want (sweets or money) or they are bullied themselves and are taking their hurt and anger out on someone who won’t fight back. It could also be that they are having problems in their lives that are making them feel bad.

 

There are ways of changing bullying behaviour by helping bullies to understand their victim’s feelings and the effect their behaviour has on them (developing their empathy, by teaching them to stand up to peer pressure and by giving them support to manage the problems they are facing in their own lives) – all of these things can change bullying behaviour for good.

 

At Blackawton Primary School, we aim to deal with the problem and try to stop the child from bullying altogether. As such, we work in partnership with parents and the school community to provide:

• Parents with anti-bullying strategies.

• Pupils with lessons to equip them with skills to improve peer relationships, increase self-esteem and self-confidence, and reduce bullying behaviour.

• Staff with bullying prevention strategies and the knowledge and best practice to ensure that they can recognise, prevent and reduce bullying.

 

Parents are often surprised when schools don’t automatically exclude pupils who are bullying others. Of course, as parents, our first concern will always be for our own child’s safety and happiness so it is natural to ask why the school seems to want to work with their tormentors instead of getting rid of them.

 

There are many reasons. It is important to note that a number of children have been bullied, seen bullying and even bullied at some time. There is no evidence that children are born ‘bullies’ or ‘victims’ – they change roles according to where they are and who they are with. If schools simply move the problem children to another school, others will continue to suffer.

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What can you do if you are being bullied?

 

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our pupils so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our school. If bullying does occur, all pupils should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a ‘TELLING’ school. This means that anyone, including a bystander, who knows that bullying is happening is expected to report the bullying incident at the earliest opportunity.

 

All children are taught the STOP, WALK and TALK method of informing the school about bullying. Any instances of bullying can be reported by a child, parent or trusted adult from the school community to the school through:

 

TELLING the class teacher.

TELLING a friend

TELLING a parent or carer.

TELLING any member of staff or a trusted adult.

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What to do if your child is being bullied or showing bullying behaviour – advice to parents

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When children who are being bullied are asked what they want to happen, they very rarely mention punishing the other child or revenge, they almost always say: ‘I just want it to stop’.

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The perpetrator rarely understands the extent to which the victim has been hurt and upset and is frightened by the bullying. Help your child to develop confidence and make friends and remember that people who are happy in themselves rarely feel the need to bully others.

 

Listen to your child

Reassure your child

Avoid retaliation but don’t ignore it

Seek support from the school

The following webpages may be of help:

https://www.bullying.co.uk/advice-for-parents/what-to-do-if-your-child-is-being-bullied/

https://www.relate.org.uk/relationship-help/help-family-life-and-parenting/family-common-problems/i-think-my-child-being-bullied

 

 

Useful links

 

Childline – free 24-hour counselling service provided by the NSPCC for children and young people.
Kidscape – London-based charity focusing on children’s safety.
Bullying UK – UK charity to help pupils, parents and schools deal with bullying

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