Anti-Bullying Policy
At Movilla Playgroup and Nursery we believe all forms of bullying behaviour are unacceptable. We strive to create an environment in which all staff and pupils feel safe, respected, supported and happy.
The United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child (UNCRC) say every child has the right to:
- Be protected from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, maltreatment, or exploitation
- Be protected from discrimination
- Express their views, in a supported and accessible way, on issues that affect them, and to have their opinions taken seriously
What is bullying?
Bullying is usually repeated behaviour that intentionally hurts, harms or adversely affects the rights and needs of another or others. The Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (2016) definition of bullying:
In this Act bullying includes (but is not limited to) the repeated use of
- Any verbal, written, or electronic communication,
- An other act, or
- Any combination of those, by a pupil or a group of pupils against another pupil or group of pupils, with the intention of causing physical or emotional harm to that pupil or group of pupils.”
This is a non-exhaustive definition of ‘bullying’ which applies only to child-to-child bullying.
The definition of bullying includes 3 key elements:-
- Non – limitation to repeated behaviours
- Method of bullying
- Intention to cause harm
It is very rare for bullying to take place in Nursery school as bullying is repeated behaviours by a child INTENDING to cause physical or emotional harm to another child or group of children. Children within this age range are learning how to behave appropriately within a large social group, while at times there may be incidents of one pupil harming another, these are very rarely intended to cause harm. Instead these behaviours are often an immature expression of frustration or an immature way of expressing feelings or emotions. As children learn and develop these incidents should become less frequent.
The following (non-exhaustive) list of examples of unacceptable behaviours, when repeated, targeted and intentionally hurtful, may be considered as bullying behaviours;
- Physical Acts – such as hitting, biting, kicking, pushing, taking items
- Verbal Acts – saying mean or hurtful things, name calling
- Omission – not allowing everyone to join in or refusing to sit beside or work with someone
When assessing a one-off incident or such behaviour, to make a decision on whether to classify it as bullying, the school shall consider the following criteria:
- Severity of incident
- Evidence of pre-meditation
- Impact of incident on individuals
- Impact of incidents on wider school community
- Previous relationships between those involved
- Previous incidents involving the individuals
These factors will always take into account and be reviewed in line with the childs individual capacity to understand the impact of their behaviours e.g due to development, age, disability or delay. Any incidents which are not considered bullying behaviour will be addressed under the positive behaviour policy.
RECOGNISING BULLYING BEHAVIOUR
Bullying is an emotive issue, so it is vital that we use supportive, understanding language when discussing these matters. For that reason we will not refer to a child as a ‘bully’, nor will we refer to a child as a ‘victim’, instead we will use terms such as “child displaying bullying behaviours’ or ‘child experiencing bullying behaviours’. All staff will be encouraged to use this language.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
Our first step within our Anti-Bullying Policy is to put preventative measures in place, we will endeavour to:
- Pre-empt the issue by discouraging such behaviours before they develop
- Create an environment in which such behaviour or attitudes do not flourish
- Watch out for behaviour that is, or could become bullying in nature
- Actively and effectively intervene, if identified
- Deal with behaviour appropriately and in line with polices
Bullying can be addressed through curriculum activities and these can help to prevent bullying occurring. Staff should encourage children to work co-operatively, to display empathy towards others through role play and conflict resolution strategies, use language around how others may feel and use circle time to explore feelings and attitudes.
RESPONSIBILITY
Everyone in school, including pupils, their parents/carers and the staff are expected to respect the rights of others to be safe. Everyone MUST work together to:
- help promote positive self esteem
- to mutually respect everyone
- be aware of behaviours which indicate bullying or signs of distress in peers
- highlight any concerns to staff
- not become involved in any form of bullying behaviour
- refrain from responding to bullying behaviours
- intervene to support the person who is being bullied unless it is unsafe to do so
- report any concerns or instances which have been witnessed to staff
- emphasise the importance of seeking help from a trusted adult
- listen sensitively to anyone who has been bullied and take what is said seriously, while providing reassurance that appropriate action will take place
REPORTING A BULLYING CONCERN
In most cases concerns around behaviours or incidents will be dealt with, with your childs key worker. Parents can speak to the key worker at any point. However, if a parent wishes to discuss this further, this can happen with a member of management. All concerns will be taken seriously and steps will be immediately put in place to address concerns highlighted.
RECODRING A BULLYING CONCERN
Records of bullying will be recorded in line with the Department of Education latest guidance. In order to maintain confidentiality only management will have access to this information – other staff may be informed as and when necessary. Records will include:
- the motivation of bullying – appearance, race, religion, disability, gender identity
- the method of bullying
- information about how it was addressed
The record will also take note if the concern has been an alleged incident or if bullying has been confirmed and how it has been responded to through this policy.
RESPONDING TO A CONCERN
We aim to address any concerns quickly, thoroughly and in a sensitive manner.
We aim to intervene as best as possible to prevent further bullying incidents occurring.
We will always provide comfort and reassurance to all children, while always providing a listening ear to both the child and their family.
Bullying behaviours will be explained, as to why they are not appropriate, and we aim to help children recognise that their actions have an impact on others.
We will work closely with all involved and update as and when necessary.
We will continue to encourage positive behaviours with ALL children.
Children will be encouraged to apologise or to help ‘fix’ the situation or provide comfort to the child they have upset or caused harm to.
We work with the parents of the child displaying bullying behaviours to put a plan in place to help handle the behaviour
We will work with the parents of the child experiencing the bullying behaviours and explain that the child displaying the behaviour is being helped to adopt more acceptable ways of behaving.
If bullying continues to persist, more serious actions will be taken, such as increased adult supervision, implementation of a behaviour plan, and reduction in opportunities to display bullying behaviour.
This policy will be fully reviewed every four years but may be updated as and when management feel necessary, or if new guidance has been issued from Department of Education, or if recommendation has been issued by the Education and Training Inspectorate.