Rationale

The Academy recognises the entitlement of all students to be educated in a safe and non-threatening environment. Bullying may well lead to unhappiness in school, academic progress may be impaired and in some cases students may be reluctant to attend.

All students must understand that:

• It is unacceptable to bully
• It is unacceptable to be bullied
• It is unacceptable to stand by idly and watch bullying
• It is unacceptable not to report bullying

Bullying is defined as a pattern of behaviour over a period of time whereby an individual or group subjects a student to threats or actual incidents of physical and/or verbal aggression/abuse.

Principles

The Academy prospectus makes a clear statement to students and parents about the unacceptability of bullying.

Staff are expected to take appropriate and firm action as and when bullying comes to their attention. Failure to do so condones the bullying.

Students should know that their complaints will be taken seriously and dealt with in confidence and that complaints can be made to any member of staff who would then refer them through the appropriate channel, normally the Tutor system.

A firm disciplinary line will be taken with bullies which will include counselling, parental involvement and in appropriate cases exclusion.

Procedures

All students are required to report either instances or perceived instances of bullying. This will be stressed during the induction of new students.

PSHE lessons, tutoring and assemblies are used to promote good peer relations and to emphasise the effect and unacceptability of bullying.

As students move through the Academy they are provided with a range of tasks which encourage cooperative work and experience a variety of groupings that help to extend their relationships beyond a small group of friends. This is also a key facet and benefit of the Vertical Tutoring System.

Staff will be alert to signs of bullying and concerns will be discussed with tutors at the earliest opportunity.

Parents are encouraged to discuss Academy life with their children and any concerns about bullying should be raised with the appropriate tutor straight away.