“Bullying, the intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. It is usually repetitive or persistent, although some one-off incidents can have a continuing harmful effect on the victim.”
 

We ensure reports of bullying are investigated and dealt with in line with our school policy to ensure that students feel safe and secure in the Academy. Although reporting bullying may make your child feel worried, we cannot deal with it if we are not aware and so would encourage them to speak to someone. We will always deal with situations in a way to protect the child as much as possible.

 

What the Academy will do:
 

· Listen to your concerns.
 

· Take action against any students who are bullying.
 

· Make any necessary changes to avoid certain students coming into contact where possible.
 

· Work with students and families to avoid bullying ever being a barrier to education.

 

Signs and Symptoms
 

A child may indicate, by different signs or behaviour, that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and investigate further if a child:
 

· is frightened of walking to or from school.
 

· doesn’t want to go to school.
 

· doesn’t want to go on the bus/begs to be driven to school.
 

· changes their usual routine/route to school.
 

· begins truanting.
 

· becomes withdrawn, anxious or lacking in confidence.
 

· starts stammering.
 

· attempts or threatens suicide or runs away.
 

· cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares.
 

· feels ill in the morning.
 

· begins to underperform in school work.
 

· comes home with clothes torn or books damaged.
 

· has possessions go “missing”.
 

· asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay the bully).
 

· has dinner or other monies continually “lost”.
 

· has unexplained cuts or bruises.
 

· comes home starving (money/snack/sandwiches have been stolen).
 

· becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable.
 

· starts swearing or using aggressive language for no apparent reason.
 

· is bullying other children or siblings.
 

· stops eating.
 

· is frightened to say what’s wrong.
 

· gives improbable excuses for any of the above.
 

These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be taken seriously and investigated as soon as possible.

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Advice to parents/ carers:
 

• If you think your child is being bullied ask them about what has happened.
   

• Is this a one-off event or a reoccurring event?
   

• Talk to your child about how they can be proactive and avoid the bully or bullies.
   

• Raise your concerns with your child’s tutor in school.

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Link to Antibullying policy

 

Cyberbullying (online bullying) - Recognising the effects and what to do (devonscp.org.uk)

 

Bullying - guidance on how to identify it and help protect children (devonscp.org.uk)