Anti-Bullying Policy

Background Information

It is made very clear to all new pupils and parents that bullying is unacceptable at Cardinal Newman Catholic High School. There is a total commitment by the Headteacher, Senior Staff and all staff to deal with any incidence of bullying as it arises and to remain watchful for any signs of it.

Rationale

It is recognised that section 3/5 of the Children’s Act of 1989 states that whilst staff act in loco parentis there is a duty in schools to do what is reasonable for the purposes of safeguarding or promoting the child’s welfare’. At Cardinal Newman we see the safety and well-being of children as an integral part of our Mission. The Christian commitment is paramount in our dealing with each other at all times. Bullying is a complex problem. We defme is as the continued, wilful and conscious desire to hurt, threaten, frighten or humiliate a pupil, member of staff or ancillary worker through the use of physical, verbal or other abusive manners of behaviour. This is unacceptable to the Christian way of life set out in our Code of Conduct.

Purposes

• To actively endeavour to provide a safe, comfortable, sociable learning environment where pupils, staff, ancillary workers are at ease with themselves and each other; where the school promotes an atmosphere where children do no ‘suffer in silence’ (see DES anti-bullying pack for schools, September 1994).
• To make sure the Code of Conduct is followed, especially in relation to aspects of mutual respect and Christian tolerance.
• To raise pupil, parent, staff and ancillary staff’s awareness of the problems of bullying

To provide a framework of support and counselling in which pupils, parents and staff are aware of procedures which are:

• 1.agreed upon
• 2.explicit
• 3.freely and openly referred to.

Guidelines

• The use of Form Time and assemblies should be used to promote the Christian message that bullying is unacceptable and this should be constantly reinforced by all staff.

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