Anti Bullying/Child-on-child Abuse

Bullying/Child-on-child abuse is never ok, Hayesfield Girls’ School and Mixed Sixth Form does not tolerate it.

At Hayesfield, we aim to create an environment in which children and staff show respect for one another. We educate our students about the issues surrounding bullying/child-on-child abuse, and to know what language and behaviour are acceptable. We also educate them to know what to do and who to speak to if they are worried or feel unsafe. However, we recognise that bullying/child-on-child abuse can and does happen, and it often goes unseen. It might take place online or outside school; we endeavour to ensure that these behaviours do not spill over into school. However, we can only do something about it, if we know about it.

Examples of bullying/child-on-child abuse could include, and are not limited to:

Verbal behaviour – jokes, suggestive, homophobic or racist comments, name-calling or malicious gossip; making hoax or abusive calls
Non-verbal behaviour – non-co-operation, suggestive or aggressive looks, gestures or invasion of personal space
Visual/indirect behaviour – display or transmission of pictures, graffiti or literature
Physical contact – unwanted touching or hitting, slapping or pushing
Emotional abuse – threatening, intimidating or humiliating someone
Exclusion – ignoring or isolating someone
Undermining behaviour – constant criticism or spreading rumours
Controlling behaviour – manipulating someone
Cyber Bullying – unwanted, malicious or suggestive e-mail, text messages or postings on social networking sites

The following types of bullying are also hate crime:

Racial, sexual, transphobic or homophobic bullying
Bullying someone because they have a disability

We recognise that bullying/child-on-child abuse can result in significant, long lasting and traumatic isolation, intimidation or violence to the victim. We also recognise that children who harm others may have additional or complex needs – it should be recognised that child abuse is harmful to both the perpetrator (who is a child) and the victim.

What do we do in school to combat bullying/child-on-child abuse:

Students are taught what bullying/child-on-child abuse is and understand the damage it can cause
Students are encouraged to report incidents of bullying/child-on-child abuse
We always take allegations of this matter seriously
Staff are trained to understand what bullying/child-on-child abuse is and understand the importance of challenging inappropriate behaviours between children
We always aim to deal with any incidents quickly and effectively, and both sanction and support, as necessary
We follow our Anti-Bullying charter. Click here to find out more about our charter
For more information, please click here for the MNSP Anti-Bullying policy

Information for Students

All students have a role to play in stamping out bullying/child-on-child abuse.

These are our baseline expectations:

Challenge any harmful or offensive behaviour you see or hear while making sure you stay safe
Don’t like or share any hurtful content you see online
Offer your support to anyone you think may be experiencing bullying behaviour
Spread positivity both online and offline – be nice!
Use social media appropriately
Engage in our PHSE/Tutor Curriculum Programme
Trust us to stamp out bullying/child-on-child abuse

In addition, you can enhance your role in stamping out bullying/child-on-child abuse by:

Joining our Anti-Bullying Ambassador initiative
Joining our PHSE Consultation Group – add your input to lessons for the whole school
Joining our Tutor Curriculum Review Group – add your input for the whole school
Becoming a Tutor Rep on our Equalities Group

How to report issues/concerns/incidents

Talk to us – speak to a member of staff
Use the Reporting buttons on the front page of the website
Use the reporting mechanisms on Social Media sites and apps
For information and support please click here: https://www.antibullyingpro.com/support

To report an incident regarding safeguarding, bullying or any other form of ‘child-on-child’ abuse, please click here to email the safeguarding team, stating your name and tutor group and they will get back to you.

For urgent concerns please speak to an adult immediately, or call the police.

Please click here to report an incident regarding internet safety

Information for Parents

Finding out your child is experiencing bullying/child-on-child abuse can be upsetting. You play a key role in ensuring your child does not get involved in any form of bullying/child-on-child abuse as either the victim or the perpetrator. If you are aware that they may be involved then you must inform your child’s Tutor or Pastoral Manager immediately to share any information, even if your child has asked you not to do so. It is important that we know what is happening so that we can work together.

Signs of bullying/child-on-child abuse

No single sign will indicate for certain that your child’s being bullied, but watch out for:

Belongings getting ‘lost’ or damaged
Physical injuries, such as unexplained bruises
Being afraid to go to school, being mysteriously ‘ill’ each morning, or skipping school
Not doing as well at school
Asking for, or stealing, money (to give to whoever’s bullying them)
Being nervous, losing confidence, or becoming distressed and withdrawn
Problems with eating or sleeping
Bullying others

You might experience a huge range of emotions if you discover your child is involved in this sort of behaviour, you must:

Talk to them
Let them know who to ask for help
Talk to us
Help them to relax and take time out
Report any Social Media bullying on the actual site

We work with the Diana Award Anti-Bullying Campaign to change the attitudes, behaviour and culture of bullying by building skills and confidence to address different situations, both online and offline They have useful information for parents. Please click here to access.

For urgent concerns please speak to an adult immediately, or call the police.

Please click here to report an incident regarding internet safety

Our Anti-Bullying Charter

Bullying is behaviour that is perceived by anyone as intended to hurt someone either physically or emotionally; commonly the behaviour is repeated and directed from one person (or group) to another person (or group).
Hayesfield Girls’ School and Mixed Sixth Form is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all of our students. We promote an inclusive ethos that focuses on celebrating diversity and respecting everybody.
Bullying of any kind involving Students, Staff and/or Visitors is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at Hayesfield Girls’ School and Mixed Sixth Form.

As a school we will:

Take bullying seriously when it is reported
Record a clear and precise account of the incident in a student statement
Start an investigation; and all those involved will write a student statement so a record can be kept
Support the victims of bullying and help them to feel safe within our school
Take positive action against the bully and support them in changing their behaviour
Work with parents of any student who is involved in bullying to encourage and support a solution
Keep parents informed, detailing the incident and explaining the actions taken
We will involve outside agencies when necessary, including the Police

As a Student:

I have a responsibility to help stop bullying
I will treat everyone with respect
I will use the internet and all social media platforms responsibly
I will not be a bystander and / or ignore any form of bullying
If I know someone is being bullied I will find a member of staff and report it immediately
I will not intentionally hurt anyone, either directly or indirectly
I will not discriminate against anyone on the basis of actual or perceived:
- Disability; gender; gender reassignment; race; religion or belief; or sexual orientation
- including Homophobic; Biphobic and Transphobic discrimination

If I see someone being bullied I will:

Find a member of staff who I can speak to and report it or inform the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors

As a Student who has bullied:

I will be offered the opportunity to discuss the incident
I will accept that my behaviour has to change immediately
I will accept encouragement and support to change my behaviour
I accept that all consequences will be used as appropriate including permanent exclusion from Hayesfield Girls’ School and Mixed Sixth Form
I will report it to a member of staff; or I will email the safeguarding team