Anti Bullying: Prevention and response

Trainers: Tricia BowlerClaire Mann

Behaviour Support Team

OfstedDfE Guidance for Schools re. Anti- bullying (February 2014)

Maintained schools must set out measures in the school’s behaviour policy which aim to prevent bullying.

Academy schools are required to ensure that an effective anti-bullying strategy is drawn up and implemented.

OfstedOfsted guidance to inspectors (September 2014) states that when judging behaviour and safety, inspectors should consider:

• Types, rates and patterns of bullying and the effectiveness of the school’s actions to prevent and tackle all forms of bullying and harassment; this includes cyber-bullying and prejudice-based bullying related to special educational need, sex, race, religion and belief, disability, sexual orientation or gender reassignment

• The effectiveness of the school’s actions to prevent and tackle discriminatory and derogatory language – this includes language that is derogatory about disabled people and homophobic and racist language

• The school’s response to any extremist or discriminatory behaviour shown by pupils

Ofsted: Achieving Outstanding 

To achieve outstanding the Ofsted descriptor (not a checklist) states:

Pupils are fully aware of different forms of bullying, including cyber-bullying and prejudice-based bullying, and actively try to prevent it from occurring. Bullying and derogatory or aggressive language in all their forms are very rare and dealt with highly effectively

Your School

• What do you have in your school?

• Where can it be found

What is 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.

Anti-Bullying Alliance

The Different types of Bullying 

Physical – pushing, poking, kicking, hitting, biting, pinching etc.

Verbal - name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, threats, teasing, belittling.

Emotional – excluding, tormenting, hiding books, threatening gestures, ridicule, humiliation, intimidating, and excluding, manipulation and coercion.

Sexual – unwanted physical contact, inappropriate touching, abusive comments, homophobic abuse, exposure to inappropriate films etc.

What are the signs of bullying?

• Depression• Low self esteem and confidence• Shyness / withdrawal• Poor academic achievement• Isolation• Running away• Illness (headaches / stomach cramps)• Threatened or attempted suicide. 

Where does it occur?

• Online / cyber – setting up hate web sites sending text messages, emails, exposure to inappropriate chat rooms, abuse via mobile phones (pictures) jokes etc.

• Discriminatory – based on difference e.g. disability, race, sexuality, religion, gender.

• Indirect - Can include the exploitation of individuals.

Homophobic bullying

• Can occur in each of the four types of bullying

• Common forms include:

• Verbal bullying• Being compared to LGBT celebrities etc• Being ‘outed’• Indirect bullying / social exclusion • Physical bullying• Sexual harassment cyber bullying

Possible effects LGB people can face negative attitudes and prejudices in their local communities This might mean:

• Denial of their sexual orientation

• Low self-esteem and / or negative body image

• A dislike towards other open or obvious LGB young people

• Shame, depression, defensiveness, anger or bitterness

• Self-ridicule

• Risk-taking behaviours

• Self-harm and/or suicidal thoughts

Prevention• What must schools do?

• Schools are required by the Ofsted to have measures in place to

tackle all forms of bullying

• School policies for both staff and pupils

• Daily reinforcement of the use of positive language and the

challenging of inappropriate comments

• Awareness raising opportunities for staff and students

• Accessible and diverse support strategies in place to tackle

homophobic (all) bullying

Evaluation

Questions?

patricia.bowler@rotherham.gov.uk

claire.mann@rotherham.gov.uk