Countering-Bullying Policy May 2008

KAS is a Community. 
All at KAS have responsibility:

- for their actions
- to earn and give respect

Everyone at KAS has the right:

- to feel secure
- to challenge unfairness
At KAS we expect an environment in which individual differences are respected.  Everyone should experience kindness and treat others as they hope to be treated.  No-one should be afraid of being verbally or physically hurt.  Everyone should be able to leave their property safe in the knowledge that it will not be interfered with.

This is the ethos towards which we strive

Any behaviour which contradicts these principles will not be tolerated at KAS.

In this School we do not accept

- Any form of violence.
- Leaving people out.
- Ganging up on anyone.
- Hurtful whispers about anyone.
- Nasty threatening looks or attitudes.
- Students who say unpleasant things and then say they were ‘only joking’.
- Teasing or picking on people because of such things as:

SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITY

To act upon each situation with understanding and fairness in accordance with our statement
To be open and available to all members of KAS
To protect the rights, both of the bullied and bullies which includes
To confront bullies
To issue bullying forms
To inform parents and staff
To bring both parties together to resolve a situation
To reaffirm boundaries
To exclude/expel if pupils are unwilling to accept responsibility towards others or need to modify their behaviour
To follow up the situation within a week
To help to share feelings and gain greater understanding
To provide counselling or support to bullies and victims
To encourage a “culture” against any form of bullying
To evaluate our policy regularly
To empower students to challenge unfairness
To discuss policy at students’ council
To keep up to date on new initiatives from other professional bodies
To strike a balance between the understanding of human nature and the need to feel secure

PUPILS RESPONSIBILITIES

Support and help the victim whenever you see bullying in the school however difficult it may be.
Show your disapproval by being assertive not aggressive. If you do nothing and walk away the bullies will think you approve of their actions and will do it again.

If you are being bullied remember:

1.            Don’t keep it a secret; you have no reason to be ashamed.
2.            Tell a teacher; he / she will act upon it with your consent.
3.            If you cannot tell a teacher talk to:

• a)         A 6th Form counsellor who has been trained

• b)         A member of your family or an adult you trust

• c)         A school counsellor

• d)         Telephone the bullying helpline [0800 1111] Monday-Friday from 10.00am-4.00pm.]

• e)         use the website: www.bullying.co.uk or the Kidscape website
  
  
  Talk about it!  It won’t stop unless you act!!

Download a PDF version here.