Anti-bullying Policy

Introduction

At Afifah School we believe that all pupils have a right to play and learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment without the fear of being bullied. We promote good behavior. It is made clear that bullying is a form of anti-Islamic and anti-social behavior and will not be tolerated.

Parents, children, staff are fully aware that any bullying complaints will be dealt with firmly, fairly and promptly.

What is bullying?

Through the consultation process, Afifah School understands bullying as follows:

‘’ Behaviour by an individual or group, usually repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally.’’

Statement of intent

This School believes that:

Bullying is undesirable and unacceptable.
Bullying is a problem to which solutions can be found.
Seeking help and openness are regarded as signs of strength not weakness.
All members of our community will be listened to and taken seriously.
Everyone has the right to enjoy and achieve in an atmosphere which is free from fear.
All of us have a responsibility to ensure that we do not abuse or bully others.
Children and young people should talk to an adult if they are worried about bullying and have a right to expect that their concerns will be listened to and treated seriously.
Children and young people should be involved in decision making about matters that concern them.
We all have a duty to work together to protect vulnerable individuals from bullying and other forms of abuse.

“We believe in tackling bullying by encouraging an environment where individuality is celebrated and individuals can develop without fear.”

What types of bullying are there?

Emotional (being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting, threatening behaviour)
Verbal (name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing)
Physical (pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence)
Extortion (demanding money/goods with threats)
Cyber (all areas of internet, email and internet chat room misuse).
Mobile threats by text messaging and calls.
Misuse of associated technology i.e.: camera and
Video facilities including those on mobile phones.
Racist (racial taunts, graffiti, gestures)
Sexual (unwanted physical contact, sexually abusive comments)

What are the signs and symptoms of bullying?

A person may indicate by signs or behaviours that they are being bullied. Everyone should be aware of these possible signs and should investigate if the person;

Is frightened of walking to or from school or changes route
Doesn’t want to go on the school / public bus
Begs to be driven to school
Changes their usual routine
Is unwilling to go to school (school phobic)
Begins to truant
Becomes withdrawn, anxious or lacking in confidence
Becomes aggressive, abusive, disruptive or unreasonable
Starts stammering
Threatens or attempts suicide
Threatens or attempts self-harm
Threatens or attempts to run away
Cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
Feels ill in the morning
Performance in school work begins to drop
Comes home with clothes torn, property damaged or ‘missing’
Asks for money or starts stealing money
Has dinner or other monies continually ‘lost’
Has unexplained cuts or bruises
Comes home ‘starving’
Bullying others
Changes in eating habits
Is frightened to say what is wrong
Afraid to use the internet or mobile phone
Nervous or jumpy when a cyber-message is received
Gives improbable excuses for their behaviour.

What is NOT Bullying

Bullying is not the odd occasion of falling out with friends, arguments, calling of names or when an occasional trick or joke is played on
It is bullying if it is done several times on
Children sometimes fall out or say things because they are When occasionally, problems of this nature arises, it is not bullying.
It is an important part of children’s development to learn how to deal with friendship

Children will have to be taught on how to deal with these situations and develop social skills to build up friendships.

What does Islam say about bullying?

Anas (RA) said: “The Prophet (SAWS) never used foul language or cursed, or swore.

A True Muslim’s tongue will refrain from uttering curses or foul language. He does not swear, curse, or use bad language; he also does not bear to hear such words.

A true Muslim restrains his anger and is forgiving. He does not see any shame in doing so; rather he sees it as a good deed which will bring him closer to Allah (SWT).

The Prophet said: “Among the best of you are those who have the best attitude (towards others)”.

He (SAWS) also said: “Nothing will weigh more heavily in the balance of the believing servant on the Day of Resurrection than a good attitude (towards others). Verily Allah hates those who utter vile words and obscene.

The true Muslim has a good attitude. He is humble and soft and gentle in his speech. He does not use bad language or insult others. He is patient, gentle, forgiving, tolerant, cheerful, and sincere towards others.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of our anti-bullying policy

To assist in creating an ethos in which attending Afifah School, is a positive experience for all members of the community.
To make it clear that all forms of bullying are unacceptable at Afifah School.
To enable everyone to feel safe whilst at Afifah School and encourage pupils/ children/ young people to report incidents of bullying.
To deal with each incident of bullying as effectively as possible, taking into consideration the needs of all parties and of the community. As a result to reduce the incidents of bullying.
To support and protect victims of bullying and ensure they are listened to.
To help and support children/ young people displaying bullying behaviour to change their attitudes and understand why it needs to change.
To liaise with parents and other appropriate members of the school community.
To ensure all members of our community feel responsible for helping to reduce bullying.

The objectives of our anti-bullying policy

To maintain and develop effective listening systems for children, young people and staff within Afifah School.
To involve all staff in dealing with incidents of bullying effectively and promptly.
To equip all staff with the skills and information necessary to deal with incidents of bullying.
To involve the wider school community (e.g. part time staff and volunteers) in dealing effectively with, and if necessary referring, bullying incidents.
To communicate with parents and the wider school community effectively on the subject of bullying.
To acknowledge the key role of every staff member in dealing with incidents of bullying.
To ensure that all incidents of bullying are recorded and appropriate use is made of the information, where appropriate, sharing it with other organisations.
To promote emotional health and wellbeing across the whole school and for all members of the community to role- model this in all situations.

Practices and Procedures

Strategies for the preventing and reducing of bullying

Implement whole school initiatives and proactive teaching strategies to develop a positive learning environment with the aim of reducing the opportunities for bullying to occur. These can include:

Monitor the extent of bullying in the school and the effectiveness of the anti- bullying policy
Produce a ‘child friendly’ version of the policy for the children
Making national anti-bullying week a high profile event each year
Have regular assemblies on bullying
Have circle time on bullying issues
Children writing stories and poems and drawing pictures about bullying
Children being read stories about bullying
Using drama activities and role-plays to help children be more assertive and confident and teach them strategies to help them deal with bullying situations
Display anti-bullying posters produced by the children around prominent areas of the school
Have a confidential complaint box in each classroom where children can write and post their concerns

be supportive of each other
provide positive role models
convey a clear understanding that we disapprove of unacceptable behaviour
Be clear that we all follow the ground-rules of Afifah School.
be fully involved in the development of the anti-bullying policy and support anti-bullying practice
Support each other in the implementation of this policy

All members of the school community are expected to report incidents of bullying.

The role of the Head teacher

It will be the responsibility of head teacher to implement the school anti-bullying Strategy.

Ensure that all staff (both teaching & non-teaching) are aware of the school policy, and know how to identify and deal with incidents of bullying.
Reports to the governing body about the effectiveness of the anti-bullying policy on
Ensure that all children know that bullying is wrong, and that it is unacceptable E.g. If an incident occurs, HT can use assembly time to discuss with other children why this behaviour was wrong.
Ensure that all staff, including lunchtime staff, receives sufficient training to identify and deal with all incidents of

All Staff have a vital role to play as they are at the forefront of behaviour management and supporting children’s sense of well-being. They have the closest knowledge of the children in their care, and should build up a relationship involving mutual support, trust and respect.

Staffs have agreed to:

Provide children with a framework of behaviour including rules which support the whole school policy.
Emphasise and behave in a respectful and caring manner to children/young people and colleagues, to set a good tone and help create a positive atmosphere
Provide a key staff member who is responsible for the monitoring of the policy

Parents have an important part to play in our anti-bullying policy. We ask parents to:

Look out for unusual behaviour in your children – e. reluctance to attend school, feel ill regularly, or not complete work to their usual standard.
Always take an active role in your child’s Enquire how their day has gone, who they have spent their time with, etc.
If you feel your child may be a victim of bullying behaviour, inform the school immediately. Your complaint will be taken seriously and appropriate action will
If a child has bullied your child, please do not approach that child on the playground or involve an older child to deal with the Please inform the school immediately.
It is important that you advise your child not to fight It can make matters worse!
Tell your child that it is not their fault that they are being bullied and make sure your child is not afraid to ask for
If you know your child is involved in bullying, please discuss the issues with them and inform The matter will be dealt with appropriately.

Implementation of the Anti-Bullying Policy

Through the development and implementation of this policy, Afifah School trusts that all children, parents/ carers and staff will:

Feel confident that everything is being done to make Afifah School a safe and secure environment
Know who can be contacted if they have any concerns about bullying
Feel supported in reporting incidents of bullying
Be reassured that action regarding bullying will take place

Strategies for dealing with Bullying

If bullying is suspected and depending on the perceived seriousness of the situation, the following steps will be followed. We emphasize on a caring, listening approach as bullies are often victims too that is why they bully.

1	Talk to the suspected victim, and any witnesses.
2	Identify the suspected bully and talk about what has happened, to discover why they became involved. Make it clear that bullying is not tolerated at Afifah School.
3	If the bully owns up then sanctions procedures outlined in the Policy will be followed.
4	Incidents of bullying are recorded
5	If the suspected bully does not own up, investigate further. If it is clear that they are lying, continue with the procedure.
6	Inform parents if deemed necessary.
7	Continue monitoring the situation to ensure no repetition. The follow-up findings will be recorded.

Ways in which bullying may occur

Child to Child Bullying

When a child is perceived to be the victim of bullying, the following steps will be taken:

. Staff will make themselves available to listen to the child.

. The bullied child will be protected from further recurrences. Staff will develop strategies to counteract the bully.

. The child will be reassured and supported

. The long term development needs of the bully will be assessed, leading to possible changes of programme and IEP.

. The incident will be recorded in the incident/accident book

Child to Adult Bullying

Staff will ensure that:

. The room is arranged in such a way as to lessen opportunities for bullying and aggression

. They plan interceptions and avoidance strategies

. They discuss the individual concerned at school staff meetings

. Also with parents/carers

Adult to Adult Bullying

Adults who witness or become victims of bullying in any form may

. Seek the advice and support of their manager

. Raise the issue with owner

. Expect that the issue will be dealt with fairly, promptly and without prejudice

Adult to Child Bullying

Bullying of children will not be tolerated. All staff has a collective responsibility to ensure that:

. All children are respected and valued

. All behaviour management programmes reflect a positive approach

. Parents/carers are advised of behaviour programmes in force and given the opportunity to contribute to the management of their child’s behaviour

. Parents/carers who are experiencing difficulties at home are given time to discuss these issues and decide on positive solutions

. All programmes are updated, evaluated and reviewed regularly

. Where physical intervention is necessary to protect the child or others nearby, it is ‘of the minimum level necessary to prevent escalation and avoid difficult or dangerous behaviour occurring’

Reacting to a specific incident

Recording

All incidents, either in or out of class will be recorded by the school on the electronic recording system. A senior member of staff will take responsibility for ensuring that the incident is properly recorded and that the record is updated as necessary throughout an investigation.

Afifah School will share with parents any concerns we may have about their child unless to do so may place a child at risk of harm. We encourage parents to discuss any concerns they may have with any members of staff.

We follow the procedures set out by the Area Child Protection Committee and take account of guidance issued by the Department for Education and Skills to:

The designated senior persons for anti-bullying are Abdul Huy Malik, Tazeen Ahamed, Romessa Iqbal.

Every member of staff (including temporary and supply staff and volunteers) and any members of the trustees know the name of the designated senior persons responsible for child protection and their role.

We ensure all staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated senior person responsible for child protection.

Where there is an unexplained absence of more than two days of a pupil who is on the child protection register, we will notify social services.

Monitoring, evaluation and review

The school will review this policy annually and assess its implementation and effectiveness. The policy will be promoted and implemented throughout the school.

Governors

We expect that Governors will:

Support the Head teacher and the staff in the implementation of this policy
Be fully informed on matters concerning anti-bullying
Regularly monitor incident reports and actions taken to be aware of the effectiveness of this policy

Afifah School

Path To Progress And Piety

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