The aim of Henbury View First School is for every member of the school community to feel valued and respected, and for all persons to be treated fairly. We are a caring community, whose values are built on mutual trust and respect. The school behaviour policy is therefore designed to support the way in which the members of the school can live and work together in a supportive way. It aims to promote an environment where all feel happy, safe and secure.

Our behaviour policy has the following aims:

• to encourage good behaviour and respect for self and others
• to define clearly acceptable behaviour and agreed standards
• to ensure consistency throughout the school
• to involve parents/carers and the children
• to promote self-discipline and self-control, as well as personal responsibility
• to ensure the health and safety of all in school
• to reward and praise appropriate behaviour

“It is everyone’s responsibility to try to prevent bullying from happening” 

It is the aim of the school behaviour policy to help create a positive, supportive, atmosphere which is based on shared values and a sense of community.  

There is no justification whatsoever for bullying behaviour and it should not be tolerated in any form. Difference of faith, ethnicity and culture, socio-economic factors, gender, differing abilities, age, sexual identity are not acceptable as reasons for bullying.  

The agreed codes of behaviour by which we conduct our affairs are derived from this aim and it is important that all staff and pupils clearly understand them. It is equally important that all staff act as effective role models in their relationships with children and with each other. 

Bullying affects everyone, not just the bullies and the person being bullied. It affects those who watch and less aggressive pupils can be drawn in by group pressure. 

Bullying of whatever kind is unacceptable and must not be regarded as an inevitable, or necessary, part of growing up. It must be clearly understood to everyone that it is wrong and will not be tolerated in our school, or on the way to and from school.  

Everyone should be alert to all signs of bullying and harassment, must take seriously any complaint of bullying, and deal with it firmly, fairly and promptly.  

Definition

Bullying is defined as deliberately hurtful behaviour, repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves.    

Bullying can take many forms, including; 

• Physical – hit, kick, manhandle 
• Verbal – teasing/name calling/insults relating to physical/social appearance, disability, gender, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or personality 
• Psychological – spreading rumours, deliberate excluding from activities/discussions/groups of friends 
• Extortion – threats to obtain money or property 
• Damage/Theft – to/of belongings 
• Cyber 

Within our PSHE education we address bullying issues allow the children to take part in activities, role play, stories and strategies to deal with a range of situations. Our jigsaw learning has a dedicated puzzle piece ‘celebrating Difference’ which is progressive and taught in each year group. We also take part in anti-bullying week and regularly remind children what to do if they feel they are being bullied or are unhappy.  

At Henbury View First School we seek to:

• meet those concerned individually and find out the facts of any incident 
• support children who are being bullied 
• help bullies to change their behaviour 
• use peer group pressure to actively discourage bullying 
• break up bully groups  
• inform the parents immediately if the incident involves violence 
• involve parents at an early stage if an incident is serious or repeated 
• help children develop positive strategies and assertiveness 
• record incidents of bullying
• involve and discuss with children agreed class charters and rights and responsibilities 
• involve other agencies and processes, e.g. Educational Psychologist, Behaviour Support Service (BSS), Early Help Assessment (EHA) etc. when appropriate 
• set up peer mediation if appropriate