Anti-bullying Month this year is from November to December 2013 and the theme for our school has been ‘Time for a Safety Net’. The school has also supported the National Anti-Bullying Week and their campaign called “The Future is Ours, Safe, Fun and Connected”. All students have been learning about the impact of bullying and in particular ensuring that they understand our school definition of bullying;
“Bullying is behaviour by an individual or group, repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally. Bullying can take many forms (for instance, cyber-bullying via social media or the internet). It can involve verbal taunts, name calling, physical injury, and damage to property, rumour spreading, shunning or ridicule and is often motivated by prejudice against particular groups, for example on grounds of ethnicity, religion, belief, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability, or because a child is in care, has caring responsibilities or mental health issues. It might be motivated by actual differences, perceived differences or as a result of association with someone else.”
Also this term, students in Years 4-6 / 7-11 will participate in the Safe & Well School Survey. This is an online, anonymous, annual City Wide survey for children and young people aged between 7 and 16. The survey asks a range of questions about school, health and wellbeing and about experiences of bullying. It is explained to all children and young people that this is a confidential survey and they cannot be identified by the information that is collected. They are also asked to speak to a member of school staff or other trusted adult if participating in the survey makes them feel worried or concerned. This survey does not require parental permission to participate, but all children and young people have the right not to participate. We run this survey to help our school further improve Healthy Schools activities, PSHE lessons and our whole school approach to anti-bullying and equality. Furthermore, data from all schools is collated to provide city-wide information about bullying and health and wellbeing and this is used to improve services and support for children and young people.
We will feed back on the survey results in March 2014. If you have any questions about anti-bullying week or the survey please contact Mrs Matthews, Subject Leader for PSHEE.