We aim to create and sustain a community of which we all feel proud. We will continue to develop an effective climate for learning in which all members of the community have high aspirations, feel safe and secure and respect the rights of everyone. We will actively promote equality amongst all community members. We will be proactive in tackling bullying and dealing with racist or homophobic behaviour and attitudes. We will celebrate students’ achievements and help them to feel proud of their achievements.

Legal framework

This policy has due regard to all relevant legislation and statutory guidance including, but not limited to, the following:

This policy operates in conjunction with the following school and Trust policies:

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
Student Code of Conduct
Trust Complaints Procedures Policy
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Policy
Trust Exclusion Policy
Trust Physical Intervention Policy

Our rights and responsibilities help us show our Ways of Being Co-op:

Succeed together
Be yourself, always
Do what matters most
Show you care

These characteristics are promoted in a range of styles with students across the cognitive ability spectrum, in order to create the right climate for positive behaviour.

We expect all students and staff to be:

Respectful and tolerant of each other’s needs and abilities.
Careful and considerate towards each other, and all school property and facilities.
Respectful of everyone’s right to equal opportunity.

Definition of bullying

The DfE defines Bullying as:

repeated
intended to hurt someone either physically or emotionally
often aimed at certain groups, for example because of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation

It takes many forms and can include:

physical assault
teasing
making threats
name calling
cyberbullying - bullying via mobile phone or online (for example email, social networks and instant messenger)

Bullying involves an imbalance of power between the perpetrator and the victim. This could involve perpetrators of bullying having control over the relationship which makes it difficult for those they bully to defend themselves. The imbalance of power can manifest itself in several ways and can result in the intimidation of a person or persons through the threat of violence or by isolating them either physically or online.

Low-level disruption and the use of offensive language can in itself have a significant impact on its target. If left unchallenged or dismissed as banter or horseplay it can also lead to reluctance to report other behaviour. Early intervention can help to set clear expectations of the behaviour that is and isn’t acceptable and help stop negative behaviours escalating.

Anti-bullying

At Co-op Academy Southfield we recognise that a significant number of our pupils, due to their learning disabilities and disabling conditions, require additional help and support to establish, facilitate and maintain effective and respectful peer relationships.

Incidents of purposeful social bullying, i.e. targeted and with the intent to cause harm, are infrequent at Co-op Academy Southfield, and are responded to firmly using the 'shared concern' approach. Discriminatory behaviour such as racism, homophobia or sexism is treated as an extremely serious problem, which will always be addressed. Incidents of bullying will be dealt with in line with this policy, where applicable the Trust Online Safety Policy and the school’s Positive Behaviour Policy with appropriate sanctions utilised where necessary.

Incidents of purposeful discriminatory bullying, i.e. targeted at a person or persons from a minority background, are rare in Co-op Academy Southfield because the school has a rigorous equality and anti-bullying approach embedded in the Curriculum, that is fully supported and promoted throughout the academy.

Staff are available to support students who may be currently coping with challenging problems such as bereavement, family crisis or health issues, so that these impacts on students do not lead, in turn, to negative behaviour and further distress. Children and young adults also have social relationships at school, and resolution of difficulties in these relationships is an important part of preventing bullying from emerging in unhealthy relationships. This is an important part of the class team’s regular communication with parents, and any concerns should be escalated to the DSLs’ regular meetings, so that intervention mentors can be assigned where there is a bullying risk identified.

Further information about how we tackle bullying can be found in our curriculum statements and CEOPs statement.

Bullying Incidents Outside of School

Where bullying outside school is reported to school staff, it will be investigated and acted on. The Head of School will also consider whether it is appropriate to notify the police or anti-social behaviour coordinator in their local authority of the action taken against a pupil. If the actions could be criminal or pose a serious threat to a member of the public, the police will always be informed.

Identifying and Reporting Bullying

Bullying can be reported by pupils, staff or parents, all reports of bullying will be taken seriously. All staff at Co-op Academy Southfield receive training in identifying bullying and in the agreed process to follow when a bullying issue is identified. When reporting a behaviour incident that involved bullying or could potentially develop into a bullying issue this is reported and recorded using the CPOMS system.

As a safeguarding issue, bullying is reportable to the Designated Safeguarding Leads using the cause for concern process. All reports of bullying incidents are retained and used to inform an annual analysis of bullying. Bullying data is available to analyse using the CPOMS system and is used to identify developing issues and to minimise risk.

Child on Child Abuse

If one child or young person causes harm to another, this should not necessarily be dealt with as abuse. Bullying, fighting and harassment between children are not generally seen as child protection issues. However, it may be appropriate to regard a young person’s behaviour as abusive if:

● There is a large difference in power (for example age, size, ability, development) between the young people concerned; or

● The perpetrator has repeatedly tried to harm one or more other children; or

● There are concerns about the intention of the alleged perpetrator

If the evidence suggests that there was an intention to cause severe harm to the victim, this should be regarded as abusive whether or not severe harm was actually caused. Child on child abuse can also include ‘initiation ceremonies’.

Where it is judged by the Designated Safeguarding Lead that child on child abuse has taken place, as with any other form of abuse, there will be a referral made to social care. Alongside multi-agency referral and support the school will work with parents, victim and perpetrator to address immediately. Where the act is judged to be bullying behaviour the school’s ‘Anti Bullying Policy’ will be followed. Risks of child on child abuse at Co-op Academy Southfield are significantly reduced by the high levels of pastoral support provided to pupils alongside rigorous recording and reporting systems, thorough PSHE programme and individual programmes of support where identified as a need. The school aims to foster an environment of mutual respect and appreciation for individuality and champions’ diversity.

Sexual Violence and Harrassment

Sexual violence and sexual harassment can occur between two children of any sex. They can also occur through a group of children sexually assaulting or sexually harassing a single child or group of children.

Sexual violence refers to sexual offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 including; Rape, Assault by Penetration and sexual assault. Further clarity around these definitions can be found in the DfE guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’

Sexual harassment refers to unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that can occur online or offline. This could include; sexual comments such as telling sexual stories, making lewd comments, making sexual remarks about clothes and appearance and calling someone sexualised names. It may also include sexual ‘jokes’ or taunting, physical behaviour

such as deliberately brushing against someone, interfering with someone’s clothes and displaying pictures, photos or drawings of a sexual nature.

Sexual harassment can also occur online and may include non-consensual sharing of sexual images and videos (often referred to as sexting), inappropriate sexual comments on social media, exploitation, coercion and threats. Online harassment may be standalone, or part of a wider pattern of sexual harassment and/or sexual violence.

When dealing with instances of sexual violence and/or sexual harassment Co-op Academy Southfield will refer to the police and to children’s social care and will work in line with the NPCC ‘When to Call the Police’ document as well as DFE guidance. Child on child abuse of any kind, including sexual violence or harassment will be considered a safeguarding issue and the school’s ‘Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy’ and all other statutory will be fully adhered to.

Actions Taken By Staff After Bullying is Reported

All staff at Co-op Academy Southfield have a responsibility to tackle bullying. The academy provides regular training and updates around how staff are to go about challenging and identifying different forms of bullying confidently. When incidents of bullying are reported to our safeguarding team these reports are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. There are several interventions that may take place. This will include staff speaking to both the victim and the bully taking into account all available information. Co-op Academy Southfield will offer a proactive and supportive response to children who are the victims of bullying. The exact nature of the response will be determined by the pupil’s individual needs.

Support For the Victim

● Immediate action to stop the incident and secure the child's safety.

● To ensure the victim is actively listened to and given time and reassurance that they have done the right thing in reporting it and what support they will receive.

● Reassurance that the victim is not responsible for the behaviour of the bully and they get the support they need to learn to be safe and feel safe.

● Informing parents at the earliest opportunity and keeping parents up to date with any further developments.

● Strategies to prevent further incidents, this includes safeguarding leads, Senior Leadership Team and class teams working closely to supervise pupils throughout the school day.

● Extra supervision/monitoring around key times e.g., home time, play times and dinner time.

● Discussion with the bully which would include a restorative justice discussion. How do they feel; what do they think the target feels like; what they will do next time.

● Working closely with both the bully and the victim to attempt to repair the relationship. (provided this does not increase the victim's vulnerability)

Actions Towards the Perpetrator

At Co-op Academy Southfield we recognise that where appropriate sanctions such as:

● Time out for the perpetrator with staff support to help their understanding of the situation.

● 1 to 1 supervision around school to minimise the risk of further incidents.

● Loss of privilege.

● Multi agency approach and referral to other agencies.

● Liaise with Police Community Support Officers.

● Targeted PSHE lessons in class or as a 1 to 1 basis.

● Meet with parents to discuss the serious nature of the incident and the next steps.

● Immediate cause-effect type sanction.

● Leaving time between action and discussion – time to cool down.

Due to the nature of our pupils’ complexities, we recognise that they may need more targeted help in order for them to build on positive social relationships. We recognise that sanctions should not include loss of entitlements or contravene their rights or liberty.

Our school is also committed to ensuring that all children and young people receive a curriculum that enriches their lives and promotes a respectful and caring ethos in preparation for adult life. Including:

● PSHE and RSE lessons.

● A whole school focus on spiritual, moral, social and cultural education which is embedded in the school curriculum.

● A focus on Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) support.

Student Voice

The School Council has contributed to this policy:

At Co-op Academy Southfield we all aim to create a community where we can all feel proud to be a part of it.
We feel safe and happy in class and around school with our friends and our teachers.
We enjoy our learning together and have fun in our classes with our friends and teachers.
We respect the rights of everyone.
Together we promote equality amongst all community members.
We will treat everyone as we would want to be treated.
Together we celebrate students’ achievements and reward them for their efforts.

Anti-bullying Policy