Bullying

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our children so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our school. If bullying does occur, all children should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively.

We openly encourage the children to tell us when they are having problems with other children whether that is in the classroom, the playground or online. Anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the staff.

At Mendip Green we are committed to developing an anti-bullying culture where the bullying children, young people and adults both in school and in the wider school community is not tolerated in any form.

What is bullying?

Bullying is defined as deliberately hurtful behaviour, repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves.

The three main types of bullying are:

• physical (hitting, kicking, theft)
• verbal (name calling, racist remarks)
• indirect (spreading rumours, excluding someone from social groups).

Bullying can take place face to face, online through games, apps and on social media platforms, and via mobile phone messaging.  It can take many different forms including physical and emotional.  Mendip Green aims to prevent and tackle all forms of bullying by teaching our children what is safe and unsafe behaviour, what is a healthy friendship and the difference between jokes and 'banter' so they can understand when this becomes bullying.

By effectively preventing and tackling bullying our school can help to create a safe and disciplined environment, where pupils are able to learn and fulfil their potential.

Our pupils are actively involved in the prevention of bullying behaviours.  We have a School Council and Mental Health Champions who are children across the school who are positive role models and act to support and reinforce the development of healthy relationships in the school.  

Why is bullying a safeguarding concern?

Whether bullying is taking place online or in person, children are negatively impacted and affected by it.  They can be physically and emotionally hurt by bullying behaviours and it is important that as a school and parents we take steps to make sure that children are supported and that we address bullying directly.

What can you do if you are worried your child is being bullied?

• reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you and can always talk to a trusted adult
• let them know who can help them
• report the bullying to school
• report the bullying to the platform/social media app
• talk to your child:  tell them about what a healthy friendship looks like
• show your child what is safe behaviour both online and in the 'real world'
• keep messages, emails and answerphone messages that have caused concern
• block any numbers/contacts that are sending bullying messages

What work do we do in school to address bullying?

• School values: We embrace individuality... We do the right thing
• Listening to all children who are involved
• Pastoral support work - this may be on a 1:1 basis or through nurture sessions
• Lunch club to support building friendships
• A curriculum that discusses online safety/safe behaviours
• Small groups focusing on healthy friendships and healthy online behaviours
• Individual work with those that are displaying bullying behaviours
• Assemblies to talk about expectations of behaviour
• External organisations to teach children about bullying, to gain support for children who have been bullied
• Clear focus on respect throughout the school
• Challenge of "banter" and how this links to bullying
• Listening to what parents are saying about how we manage bullying and supporting parents

If you are concerned that your child is being bullied or is bullying someone please contact the school and talk to the Pupil Family Support Workers.

Our Anti-bullying Policy is available in the Policies section of our website.