Anti-bullying
Introduction
The aim of our anti-bullying policy is to ensure that our members learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment without fear of being bullied. Bullying is anti-social behaviour and affects everyone; it is unacceptable.
LC Dance is committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our members so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. If bullying does occur, all students should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively.
Why do we need an Anti-Bullying Policy?
Persistent bullying can severely inhibit a child’s ability to learn effectively. The negative effects of bullying can have an impact on a person for their entire life. LC Dance wishes to promote a secure and happy environment free from threat, harassment and any type of bullying behaviour. Therefore, this policy promotes practices within the school to reinforce our vision, and to remove or discourage practices that negate them.
What is Bullying?
Bullying occurs when an individual or a group uses strength or power to hurt, either physically or emotionally, by intimidating or demeaning others. Bullying can be emotional, physical, racist, homophobic, biphobic, transphobic, verbal or cyber. It is usually persistent and is often covert, and is a conscious attempt to hurt, threaten or frighten someone. Pupils who are being bullied, may show changes in behaviour, such as becoming shy and nervous, feigning illness, taking unusual absences or clinging to adults. There may be evidence of changes in work patterns, lacking concentration or missing class.
Bullying can take many forms including:
Physical bullying which can include kicking, hitting, pushing and taking away belongings;
Verbal bullying which includes name calling, mocking and making offensive comments;
Emotional bullying which includes isolating an individual or spreading rumours about them;
Cyber-bullying where technology is used to hurt an individual – for instance text messaging or posting messages/images on the internet or any form of social media
Racist bullying occurs when bullying is motivated by racial, ethnic or cultural prejudice.
Sexual bullying is where someone makes unwanted physical contact or makes sexually abusive comments.
Homophobic and biphobic bullying occurs when bullying is motivated by a prejudice against lesbian, gay or bisexual people.
Transphobic bullying occurs when bullying is motivated by a prejudice against people who identify as trans
Disablist bullying occurs when bullying is motivated by a prejudice against people with any form of disability.
Sexist bullying occurs when bullying is motivated by a prejudice against someone because of their gender
With the advance in new technologies, LC Dance is aware there is an increased risk of cyber bullying using e-mails, instant messenger, social networking sites, and public websites inappropriately.
A great deal of bullying is CYBER-BULLYING. Please regularly monitor your child’s use of texting, Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites. Access to these is out of the schools’ control when your child is not in class.
Some warning signs that a student is being bullied:
Changes in focus and attitude in class
Appears anxious
Regularly feeling sick or unwell. Wanting to sit out regularly. Reluctance to come to class.
Clothes/bags torn or damaged.
Unexplained cuts and bruises.
Unexplained behaviour changes, e.g. moody, bad-tempered, tearful. Unhappiness.
Loss of appetite & loss of weight
Seen alone a lot
Not very talkative
Some reasons why people bully:
Desire to appear powerful
Unhappiness
Feelings of inadequacy
Difficulties at home.
Learned behaviour (They too have been bullied)
How to get help - Who can students talk to if they have any concerns about bullying?
School Principal
Class Teacher
Class Helper
Pastoral Leader
Students can feel confident that any of the above will listen to their problem. Pupils who have been bullied will be supported by:
Offering an immediate opportunity to discuss the experience with a class teacher or member of staff of their choice
Reassuring the pupil
Offering continuous support
Restoring self-esteem and confidence
Pupils who have bullied will be helped by:
Discussing what happened
Discovering why the pupil became involved
Establishing the wrong-doing and need to change
Informing parents or guardians to help change the attitude of the pupil
Responses will vary depending on the nature of the incident but may include:
Counselling
Monitoring by Principal/Class Teacher/Pastoral Leader
Peer support/peer mentoring
Formal recording
Use of Behaviour Agreement Contract
Liaison with parents/guardian/social worker
Involvement of external agencies
Fixed-term exclusion
Permanent exclusion
Anti-Bullying Procedures
It is made clear that bullying in any form is unacceptable. It will be taken seriously and dealt with promptly
Staff Responsibilities:
To implement procedures to confront bullying of any form
To listen to all parties involved in incidents
To investigate incidents promptly and as fully as possible
To take appropriate action or to refer to Principal/Pastoral Leader as appropriate
To record in the appropriate students’ files and in the racist/HBT (homophobic, biphobic, transphobic) record if appropriate
To share with parents of the victim and bully, incidents of persistent and/or serious bullying
To implement appropriate procedures for a member of staff
To promote the use of a range of learning styles and strategies which challenge bullying behaviour
To promote open management styles which facilitate communication and consultation within the school and relevant outside agencies when appropriate
To model the values our school believes in from the mission statement
To promote the use of interventions which are least intrusive and most effective
Anti-Bullying Strategies:
Strong teacher-student relationships so students feel comfortable in reporting any issues
Regular promotion of anti-bullying.
Annual questionnaires to research student views on how safe they feel before, during & after class
Self-esteem and circle time work in class
Anti-bullying training for the Pastoral Leaders
One to one counselling
Anti-bullying advice to Parents / Carers:
A great deal of bullying is CYBER-BULLYING. Please regularly monitor your child’s use of texting, Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites. Access to these is out of the schools’ control when your child is not in class
TALK to your child on a regular basis, so any problem is easier to share
LISTEN to what they say
ENCOURAGE your child to feel good about themselves, realising that we are all different and equally important
If you believe your child is being bullied, or is a bully, talk to other adults at home or at the dance school and explore the options. DON’T STAY SILENT!
If your child is a victim assure them that it is not their fault and that you are going to do something to help
Be realistic in your expectations, sometimes on-going problems can take time to resolve
TRY to be co-operative with our school and not be aggressive. Without a good working relationship between parents and the school the situation could deteriorate, which won’t help you or them
ALWAYS remember that children can’t solve bullying on their own. They NEED the support of parents/carers and our school.
REMEMBER – IT IS NOT YOUR CHILD’S FAULT
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.
Policy updated 29/12/2023, to be reviewed December 2024.