ANTI-BULLYING POLICY/ ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

1.    Statements

1.1    Principle Statement

“The English School is committed to the principle of equal opportunities for all and seeks to uphold the rights of every individual within the school community. The School aims to provide an opportunity for all students regardless of sex, age or creed to develop their talents and skills to the full, and encourages an awareness and tolerance of varying aesthetic, cultural, traditional and religious values within today’s increasingly pluralistic and multicultural society. It is the duty of all members of staff to help their students to accept and respect other people’s individuality and to offer positive role models in support of ethnicity, gender, religion and special needs.”

1.2    Anti-Bullying Policy Statement

The English School’s Anti-Bullying Policy reflects the view that in order to achieve academic excellence, which is the primary school objective; we must aim to provide a safe, secure and positive environment for all the children and staff.  Our School promotes respect for self and others and encourages mutual respect between all members of the School community.

2.    Aims

• To prevent, reduce and eradicate bullying in any form. This includes bullying related to race/ ethnicity, religion and culture, sexism, sexual     orientation, socio-economic group, special educational needs, disability, appearance and health conditions.
• To have a consistent approach for dealing with incidents of bullying.
• To ensure that all students, staff and parents are aware of this policy and their responsibilities and obligations to uphold it.
• To create a safe and secure environment for all, where positive relationships can develop.
• To protect the targets of bullying and to change the attitude and the behaviour of the persons who bully.
•  To empower students to take responsible action in response to bullying.

3.          Definition

Bullying can be defined as behaviour by an individual or group, usually repeated over time, that consequently hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally. It involves an imbalance of power, leaving someone feeling helpless to prevent it or put a stop to it.

4.           Bullying may include any of the following:

• Physical violence, such as hitting, pushing or spitting at another student;
• Interfering with another student’s property, by stealing hiding or damaging it;
• Using offensive or discriminatory language or names when addressing another student;
• Taunting, mocking or spreading hurtful or untruthful rumours about another student or his / her family;
• Belittling another student’s abilities and achievements;
• Writing offensive notes or graffiti about another student;
• Deliberately excluding people from groups;
• Consistently ignoring / isolating another student in/ outside  the class;
• Ridiculing another student’s appearance, way of speaking or personal mannerisms;
• Disrespecting or taking discriminatory actions against a person’s cultural or religious identity.
• Cyber bullying – See Section 5 below

5.           Cyber bullying

This is the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), particularly mobile phones and the internet, deliberately to upset someone else. Cyber bullying is a “method” of bullying rather than a “type” of bullying. It can take the form of the previously discussed forms of bullying – i.e. technology can be used to bully for reasons of ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, etc.

              It includes the following:

•  inappropriate text messaging and emailing;
• sending offensive images or videos posted on the internet or spread via mobile phone or electronic device;
• posting offensive / inappropriate or discriminatory text on instant messenger sites or social network sites e.g. MSN, Facebook, Twitter.
• threats and intimidation;
• harassment or “cyber-stalking” (e.g. repeatedly sending unwanted texts or instant messages);
• defamation;
• exclusion or peer rejection;
• impersonation or manipulation;
• unauthorised publication of private information or images;

6.    Standards

Our school accepts that any form of bullying or/ and discrimination is unacceptable and recognises the harmful effects it has on students. We will actively work to minimise all risks whilst realising that both the targets of bullying and the perpetrators need to be treated in a supporting manner.  We recognise that bullying is likely to have a harmful effect on student’s performance and emotional health.

We are aware that a great deal of bullying takes place outside the school premises, and on journeys to and from school. The school has the authority to regulate, where it is reasonable to do so, the behaviour of their studentsoutside school especially in cases where their behaviour is damaging the learning or emotional/ physical health of other students or bringing their school into disrepute. This is consistent with the School Code of Conduct.

7.    Preventative Steps

The school will endeavour to establish the following steps/ measures in order to create and implement a bully free ethos:

• Effective school leadership team which promote an open and honest anti-bullying ethos, which secures whole-school community support for the anti-bullying policy.
• A code of conduct which include student’s responsibilities and the sanctions to be applied in the case of transgression.
• A full and agreed procedure for staff, students and parents to follow when responding to any incident where bullying or discriminatory behaviour is involved
• Agreed documentation to ensure that students, staff and parents are aware of all responsibilities.
• An identified person or persons trained and empowered to coordinate and continually monitor policy and incidents.
• Provision of appropriate support, counselling and advice for targets of bullying and perpetrators/offenders involved in bullying and/or discriminatory behaviour.
• Use of curriculum opportunities to raise awareness of and tackle bullying:  
  in the form of timetabled PSHE lessons or Citizenship / SEAL Lessons where Bullying and Discrimination are designated topics.
• Student voice - engaging students in developing anti-bullying policy and practice.
• Professional development - to ensure that appropriately targeted information or professional training and development, including information on legal responsibilities is available for all staff.
  
• Effective classroom management that isolates and recognises such anti-social behaviour.
• A Pastoral structure in order to provide full support for students, through class tutors and year heads.
• A fully implemented Merit System that rewards defenders, i.e. those who try and intervene to stop the bullying or comfortstudents who experience bullying.
• A Peer Mentoring and Peer Mediation System for students.
• An anti-bullying e mail address where students can write a message asking for help for themselves or others.

8.    Individual Responsibilities

It is important that all parties recognise the difficulties that can be encountered in implementing the Anti-Bullying policy.  With this in mind the following procedures have been agreed and will be implemented.

8.1     The Responsibilities of Staff

All Staff will:

• Consistently monitor behaviour of all students in their care.
• Foster in all our students self-esteem, self-respect and respect for others.
• Demonstrate by example the high standards of personal and social behaviour we expect of our students.
• Be alert to signs of distress and other possible indications of bullying.
• Listen to children who have been bullied and take what they say seriously.
• Report cases of bullying in accordance with specific procedures.
• Follow up any complaint by a parent about bullying or discriminatory behaviour and report back promptly and fully on the action that has been taken.
• Adhere and promote the school’s Anti-Bullying Policy / procedures
• Ensure they seek / undertake regular Training on Anti-Bullying Practice.

8.2     The Responsibilities of Students

We expect all our students to:

•  Report to a member of staff any witnessed or suspected instances of bullying. (You may ask a friend or parent to assist you or accompany you.)
•  Act in a respectful and supportive manner to fellow students and staff in order to promote a safe environment for all.
•  Intervene, if you can, to prevent the bullying from taking place, as long as your own safety is not at risk.
•  Adhere and promote the schools Anti-Bullying Policy / procedures

Anyone who becomes a target or victim of bullying should:

• Not suffer in silence, but have the courage to speak out and put an end to their bullying and that of other potential targets of bullying.

Anyone who engages in bullying behaviour should:

• Be aware that sanctions and learning programmes hold them to account for their behaviour and help them to face up to the harm they have caused;
  
• Be prepared to learn to behave in ways which do not cause harm in future, by being given the opportunity to develop their emotional skills and knowledge.
  
• Be prepared to learn how they can take steps to repair the harm they have caused.

8.3    The Responsibilities of Parents

We expect our parents to support their children and the school by:

•  Being clear that the school does not tolerate bullying or/and discrimination.
•  Being aware of procedures to use if they are concerned their child is being bullied or does not feel safe to learn, including the school’s complaints procedure.
•  Being alert for signs of distress and other possible indications of bullying.
•  Advising their children to report any bullying to any member of staff and explain the implications of allowing the bullying to continue unchecked, for themselves and for other students.
•  Advising their children not to retaliate to any form of bullying.
•  Being sympathetic and supportive to their children and reassuring them that appropriate action will be taken.
•  Informing the school of any suspected bullying or discriminatory behaviour even if their children are not involved.
•  Co-operating with the school, if their children are involved or accused of bullying. Trying to ascertain the truth, and to point out the implications of bullying both for the children who are bullied and for the offenders/ perpetrators.
• Being clear about ways in which they can complement the school on the anti-bullying policy or procedures.

8.4     The Responsibilities of the School

• To develop whole-school policies which meet the law.
  
• To promote a school climate where bullying, discriminatory behaviour and violence are not tolerated and cannot flourish.
  
• To continually monitor and review this policy document to ensure that the contents reflect current and recommended practice. 
  
• To provide curriculum opportunities to address bullying/ discrimination through the use of timetabled PSHE Lessons or Citizenship/ SEAL Lessons where Bullying  and Discrimination are designated topics  or/and byengaging in whole- school initiatives such as Anti-bullying week.
  
• To ensure that there is annual staff training for all staff, including new staff, so that they are fully aware of the School’s Anti-bullying Policy and confident with regards to their own responsibilities and the actions required in helping to eradicate all forms of bullying and discriminatory behaviour.
• To work in partnership with parents, other schools and community partners to promote safe communities.
  
• To ensure that the policy has been approved after consultation with Staff, Parents and Studentsand has also been approved by the Board of Directors. 

8.5     The Responsibilities of All

In accordance with the principles stated in our principle statement, we expect everyone to work together to combat bullying.

 9.    Procedure for Reporting alleged Incidents of Bullying/Discrimination

Any person can report an Incident of Bullying/ Discrimination/ Harassment. This includes students, staff and parents.  One should report an incident of bullying/discrimination even if they are not themselves the targets of the bullying/discrimination.

There are a number of ways in which an incident of bullying/discrimination can be reported:

• Inform any Teacher or Senior Teacher about the incident who will offer support, provide you with an Incident Report Form, and help you to complete it.

• Inform a Peer Mentor about the incident who will offer support, provide you with an Incident Report Form, and help you to complete it.

• Complete the Incident Report Form which can be downloaded from the school website or obtained from the Main Office and give it to:

a) Any Member of Staff.

b) Any Senior Teacher.

• Complete the Incident Report Form which can be downloaded from the school website and place it in the Red Anti-Bully box.

• Complete the Incident Report Form  (See Appendix 1) on the school website and send it to the school email address on anti-bullying:     bullying@englishschool.ac.cy

When reporting an alleged Incident of Bullying it is important that all students, staff and parents are aware that their confidentiality will be respected and that their name need not be disclosed to a third party. An investigation can be conducted without disclosing to the alleged offender the identity of the person reporting the alleged incident.

If they would like the matter to remain confidential they can place a tick in the relevant box at the top of the Incident Report Form. In such a case only the person investigating the incident need be aware of the identity of the person reporting.

9.1    Retaliation

• Retaliation or reprisal against any person who reports bullying incident(s) is strictly prohibited.
• Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, any form of intimidation, reprisal, or harassment used against a person who reports incidents of bullying in good faith.
• Disciplinary action against any person who retaliates or engages in reprisal for reporting such behaviour(s) may include sanctions up to and including expulsion/suspension for students.

9.2    False Reporting

Students should not knowingly or wilfully falsely accuse one another of bullying. Disciplinary action could include expulsion / suspension for students if they are found to have intentionally and         knowingly made false reports.

10. Procedure for Investigating Alleged Incidents of Bullying/Discrimination

• Once the incident has been reported and the Incident Report Form completed, an Investigation will proceed. The Investigation will be undertaken by one of the following persons:

              1) A member of the Senior Management Team or

              2) A Pastoral Head of Year

• The target of the bullying is interviewed first and an Incident Report Form is completed.

(See Appendix 1: Incident Report Form and Appendix 2: Guidelines for Completing Investigation Reports.)

               If the target agrees, an Investigation will proceed.

• The alleged offender and the witnesses will all be interviewed separately.

(See Appendix 2: Guidelines for Completing Investigation Reports.)

• An Investigation Report will be completed on the basis of the Interviews and forwarded to the Senior Teacher i/c Pastoral Care / the Senior Teacher i/c Intercultural Education and the Head Teacher.

• If the investigation concludes that bullying/discrimination has taken place sanctions may be taken against the offender and/or other actions implemented to change the attitude and behaviour of the persons involved in bullying/ discrimination.

• For students these sanctions must be appropriate to the seriousness of the incident(s) and may include suspension and/or expulsion or other disciplinary measures.

11. Actions and Sanctions if Investigation shows that Bullying has taken place.

       If disciplinary measures are required, the following actions/ sanctions will be  implemented, depending on the seriousness of the individual case:

• The offender is warned officially to stop offending. A disciplinary report slip may be issued. (In principle the parents will be informed unless there are special circumstances that deem this not to be necessary.)
• In the case that the bullying behaviour reoccurs, the parents of both the target of the bullying and the offender will be notified. The offender will be issued with a disciplinary report slip.
• In the case of a more serious incident of bullying, parents of both the target of the bullying and the offender are notified. The student is issued with a disciplinary report slip and may be suspended. The parents of both the target of the bullying and the offender are informed of the allegations and are also informed about the student’s responses to these allegations.
• In the case of repeated bullying the offender will be suspended, they will be requested to remain at home (for one or two days) to reflect on their behaviour. Repeated bullying may include the reoccurrence of bullying in an already reported case or in a new case which involves the same offender.
• The offender will be required to undertake counselling when he/she returns to school.
• If the offender continues to bully, he/she will be recommended for suspension for a major fixed period (up to 3 days) or an indefinite period.
• The use of physical violence by one student against another will result in an immediate one day suspension pending further investigation.

**In addition to the above disciplinary measures other sanctions may be imposed as laid out in the School Discipline / Behavioural Policy and School Code of Conduct.

11.1   Actions supporting the Offender

• The Teacher/PHOY/ Senior Teacher must communicate the victim’s feelings to the offender. This will involve talking about what happened, discovering why they had become involved in order to get rid of the prejudiced attitudes as far as possible.
• The offender will be expected to apologise and to take action in accordance with the principle of restorative justice.
• The offender will be requested to undertake counselling in more serious cases.
• The offender may be requested to participate in a peer mentoring or a peer mediation programme.
• The offender may be asked to undertake a specific work assignment or community service assignment.
• The offender will be informed that there will be follow up action taken in the near future.

11.2    Actions Supporting the Target of Bullying

• Targets of bullying should be offered an immediate opportunity to talk about the experience with their class teacher, form teacher, PHOY, or a Senior Teacher.

• Their parents /guardians should alwaysbe informed in situations where the bullying incident is deemed to be more serious.

• They should be offered continued support and there should be follow up two weeks later to ensure that there is no reoccurrence of the bullying. There should be additional follow up two to three months later to verify that the actions/sanctions have prevented the reoccurrence of bullying and ensured that the student feels safe.

• They should be offered support from other students via peer mentoring or peer mediation systems or in a restorative activity.

• Counselling may be recommended or provided.

12.    Links with other Policies

This policy should be implemented in conjunction with the following policies:

• Student Discipline / Behavioural Policy
• Code of Conduct
• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Use of ICT Policy