Anti-Bullying at Burley St Matthias
Burley St Matthias Primary School’s ethos can be summarised by our motto. This powerful message is also interwoven with our school rules. They aim to support the entire school community to make the most of each and every day so that we can be the best we can be.
At Burley St Matthias Primary School, whilst aware that pupils may be bullied in any school or setting, we recognise that preventing, raising awareness, and consistently responding to any cases of bullying should be a priority to ensure the safety and well-being of our pupils.
Definition of Bullying
Bullying is ‘the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power which can happen face to face or online’. At Burley St Matthias Primary School, staff and children also define bullying as something that happens Several Times On Purpose.
Using this definition helps children to understand the seriousness of bullying compared to other unacceptable forms of behaviour. In addition, our ‘Talk‘ acronym encourages our children to vocalise their concerns and look after one another.
At Burley St Matthias Primary School, we regularly discuss what bullying is/is not with all pupils through assemblies and PSHE lessons. The school’s proactive School Council regularly meet to explore how they can further improve our Anti-bullying stance and promote the prevention of bullying behaviours.
Collaboratively, they have developed a whole school charter to encourage Reaching out, Speaking loud and Standing up through the promotion of caring for others, reporting bullying behaviours and the important role bystanders play too.
Burley’s charter was designed by The School Council in collaboration with every classes’ ideas.
Types of Bullying
Bullying behaviour can take various different forms, including those listed below:
• Physical (including taking and damaging belongings, kicking, hitting,)
• Verbal (including name calling, threats, offensive remarks, taunting,)
• Psychological (including spreading rumours, gossiping, excluding from social groups)
• Cyber (including abusive texts or emails, deliberately excluding others online or in instant messaging services).
Friendship Fallouts
It is important to understand that bullying is not occasional falling out with friends, name calling, arguments, or when the occasional ‘joke’ is played on someone. Children do sometimes fall out or say things because they are upset. When occasional problems of this kind arise, it is not classed as bullying. It is an important part of a child’s development to learn how to deal with friendship breakdowns. These incidents are managed by all staff at school by following the school’s Behaviour Policy and PSHE curriculum to ensure that children’s ability to resolve conflict is developed and supported in an age-appropriate manner.
For more information about our commitment to Anti-Bullying, please see our policy below.