Sherwood Park Primary is an Anti-Bullying School
At Sherwood Park Primary School, we take bullying seriously. Pupils and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported to a member of staff.
What is bullying?
As a member of The Diana Award Anti-Bullying Campaign, we follow their definition of what bullying is:
"repeated, negative behaviour that is intended to make others feel upset, uncomfortable or unsafe."
Types of bullying behaviour
VIP
Verbal bullying is the repeated, negative use of speech, sign language, or verbal gestures to intentionally hurt others, e.g. using hurtful words, discriminatory or offensive language, or swear words.
Indirect bullying is the repeated, negative use of actions, which are neither physical nor verbal, to intentionally hurt others e.g. spreading rumours, purposefully excluding another person, damaging or stealing someone’s property, or cyberbullying.
Physical bullying is the repeated, negative use of body contact to intentionally hurt others, e.g. kicking, punching, slapping, inappropriate touching, or spitting.
Cyberbullying is the repeated, negative use of technology to intentionally hurt others e.g. posting unwanted pictures or messages, accessing another person’s account without permission, creating fake accounts to impersonate or harass someone, and sharing other people’s private information online.
How we educate children about bullying
As well as our explicit work with the Diana Award, our anti-bullying teaching is embedded across our curriculum. It is woven throughout our PSHE units with many aspects being covered under the themes of 'Health and Wellbeing', 'Citizenship', 'Family and Relationships' and 'Safety and the Changing Body'. It is also taught and explored in the Computing program of every year group under their work on eSafety.
Each year, we also take part in Anti-Bullying Week (held in the month of November). Anti-Bullying Week shines a spotlight on bullying and encourages all children, teachers and parents to take action against bullying. Over the course of Anti-Bullying Week, we hold a number of school assemblies and each class completes a number of activities designed at educating the children about what bullying is and how to deal with its different forms effectively.
Ways children can report bullying
If a child witnesses bullying, or feel they are being bullied, they can tell any member of staff who must pass the information on to the children who are involved class teachers.
Pupils may also write down any worries they have about bullying and put theses into the worry box outside the KS2 Hall for the Anti-Bullying Lead (Mr Mann) or an Anti-Bullying Ambassador to read and pass on to class teachers. Pupils must be aware that for incidents to be dealt with they must not report anonymously.
What staff will do
If a member of staff witnesses or is told of any bullying behaviours, they will record this onto our online reporting systems and notify the class teacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead (Mr Quayle) and Head Teacher (Miss Trayers).
What parents can do
Parents can report bullying by speaking to their child's class teacher or a member of our Senior Leadership Team at the start and end of the day. You can also phone the school by calling 0208 303 6300 or email admin@sherwood.bexley.sch.uk.
Useful Links
Childnet International has a CD-ROM guide on internet safety for parents titled 'know it all'. This is also available in other languages.
Antibullying Alliegience has information around all aspects of bullying. They also have a useful tool for parents and carers.
