Anti-Bullying Policies and Procedures

Our priority is to ensure that Northiam Primary school is a safe, happy place to learn for children and adults in our community.

Our school has undertaken a lot of work to design our anti-bullying policy and ethos.  Bullying concerns are extremely rare but it is important to everybody at Northiam Primary they are dealt with in the interests of children's safety and transparently.

ALL SLT members are available to manage any bullying concerns raised by parents, carers, staff or children.  Any child, parent or staff member raising a bullying concern should expect this to be managed by a member of the Senior Leadership Team and can insist on their involvement.

Department for Education have created a guide on expectations regarding Anti-Bullying measures in schools.  This includes cyber bullying.  That can be read by clicking here.

We will not tolerate bullying at Northiam Primary School.  

We hope the information on this page is clear and welcome any feedback.

Nominated  SLT lead is Mrs Bray, Head Teacher

Our policy was written in consultation with children and families (see examples of how this we done below) and has proven to be effective and minimising any bullying incidents but also ensuring that they are managed effectively on the rare occasions that concerns are raised by a child, staff or parents.

Our policy and procedures acknowledge the importance of the Equality Act 2010, demonstrating our commitment to preventing and responding effectively to the bullying of protected and vulnerable groups of children including disabled children / children with SEN, those who are or perceived to be LGBT, race and religion targeted, young carers, looked after children, appearance targeted, sexist and sexual bullying.

From 2025 we have started working with the Anti Bullying Alliance to ensure that our practice is audited and meets the best standards in schools.

As well as our own processes we also signpost parents to:

• NSPCC's guide and advice on combatting bullying.
• Young Minds advice on addressing bullying
• Anti Bullying Alliance's advice for families 

Cyber and Online Bullying

NSPCC states cyberbullying is bullying that takes place online. Unlike bullying offline, online bullying can follow the child wherever they go, via social networks, gaming and mobile phone. A person can be bullied online and offline at the same time.

We expect all children to treat children and staff with respect and dignity when using digital devices, software and apps. 

Preventing cyberbullying requires children, parents, carers and staff to be vigilant.  We know that:

• Too many children access software and apps that are not safe for their age.
• In the majority of homes, children still report that adults do not know what they are accessing online.
• Children don't always follow the same boundaries online that they do at home,
• Children are often reluctant to report cyber bullying because they fear that they will lose their device (phone, tablet, laptop etc).

Cyberbullying can include:

• sending threatening or abusive text messages
• creating and sharing embarrassing images or videos
• trolling – the sending of menacing or upsetting messages on social networks, chat rooms or online games
• excluding children from online games, activities or friendship groups
• shaming someone online
• setting up hate sites or groups about a particular child
• encouraging young people to self-harm
• voting for or against someone in an abusive poll
• creating fake accounts, hijacking or stealing online identities to embarrass a young person or cause trouble using their name
• sending explicit messages, also known as sexting
• pressuring children into sending sexual images or engaging in sexual conversations.

You can find out more about cyberbullying on NSPCC Online Abuse page.

Year 1 and 2 Bullying Definition

Bullying is mean behaviour that happens more than once. It can make someone sad and unhappy.

 Years 3 to 6 Bullying Definition

Bullying is repetitive, intentional, hurtful behaviour that makes people feel unhappy about themselves. Bullying is disrespectful behaviour towards somebody by another person or group of people, that happens many times.