Anti Bullying at Newcroft

What is bullying?

Bullying can be described as being ‘a deliberate act done to cause distress solely in order to give a feeling of power, status or other gratification to the bully. Bullying can range from ostracising, name-calling, teasing, threats and extortion, through to physical intimidation, assault on persons and/or their property’. It involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Children who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.

How do we deal with bullying at Newcroft?

First and foremost, we teach our pupils what bullying is and that it is not acceptable. We use the S.T.O.P (several times on purpose) to help pupils to understand what the difference is between bullying and friendship issues. We teach anti-bullying explicitly through our PSHE, RSE and British Values curriculums. We take part in awareness raising events such as Anti Bullying week each November. It is also taught inexplicity through our school values and SMSC. See our full behaviour policy here. 

We hold the nationally recognised 'Gold' Anti-Bullying Award, recognising our dedication and strong policies and procedures in place linked to anti- bullying. 

Pupils at Newcroft are taught that they can tell a trusted adult, or use a worry box or monster found in any of our classrooms or in our whole school worry box. 

Bullying is not acceptable in our school and we work to ensure that pupils who bully and who are bullied are given the help they need. More detail about this is available in our anti bullying policy.

Cyber Bullying 

Parents should notify a member of staff or the head teacher of any concerns or queries regarding online safety in school and concerns they may have regarding cyberbullying outside of school. 

Parents and carers can seek further guidance on keeping children safe online from the following organisations and websites:

• What are the issues? – UK Safer Internet Centre
• Help and advice for parents/carers – Childnet
• Parents and carers resource sheet – Childnet

How do we support our staff to identify bullying and take action?

All our staff who work with the children receive extensive anti bullying training, through the Anti Bullying Alliance. We have earned the 'Gold' Anti-Bullying Award, demonstrating excellence in our provision and training to support pupils.

Support and guidance for parents and children 

If you have a concern about friendships or think your child may be being bullied, please speak to your child's class teacher without delay, who will seek support from the Senior Leadership team and Head teacher, who will investigate further. Your concerns will never be ignored. 

Some useful links for parents and pupils:

https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/tools-information/advice-and-support/if-youre-being-bullied/i-am-being-bullied

https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/tools-information/advice-and-support

https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week/parents-and-carers

www.beyondbullying.com

Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment between children (child on child abuse) 

At Newcroft, everyone has the ethos of 'it could happen here.' Our approach to dealing with allegations, to the education of child on child abuse of any kind and to keeping all children safe whether that be the alleged perpetrator or alleged victim, is outlined in our Child on Child Abuse Policy. This can be found in the policies section of our website. 

Any adult or pupil who has a concern should speak to our DSL, Mrs Aukland for advice, support and next steps. 

Further advice for parents can be found here: 

https://www.kidscape.org.uk/news-and-blogs/2023/february/sexual-harassment-in-schools-what-can-parents-or-carers-do/

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/2018/is-this-sexual-abuse

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/news/2021/may/resources-promote-report-abuse-in-education-helpline