Meynell Primary is an Anti-Bullying School.

Bullying is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. 

We have been awarded a Gold Award from the Anti Bullying Alliance's All Together Programme for our Anti Bullying work in school. 

What is bullying?

Bullying is behaviour by an individual or group, repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group where there is an imbalance of power.

Acts of bullying can take many forms, for example: 

• Physical - pushing, poking, kicking, hitting, biting, pinching etc.
• Verbal - name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, threats, teasing, belittling.
• Emotional - isolating others, tormenting, hiding books, threatening gestures, ridicule, humiliation, intimidating, excluding, manipulation and coercion.
• Sexual - unwanted physical contact, inappropriate touching, abusive comments, homophobic abuse, exposure to inappropriate films etc.
• Online / Cyber - posting on social media, sharing photos, sending nasty text messages, social exclusion. 
• Indirect - can include the exploitation of individuals.

Bullying is often motivated by prejudice against particular groups, for example on grounds of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or because a child is adopted or has caring responsibilities. It might be motivated by actual differences between children, or perceived differences. 

• Disablist - bullying based on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
• Homophobic, Biphobic, Transphobic (HBT) - is bullying based on non-heterosexual sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
• Racist - bullying based on ethnicity or national origin (including Gypsy / Roma / Travellers) skin colour, language, religious or cultural practices, as well as other aspects of lifestyle and appearance. 
• Sexist - bullying based on perceived or biological sex / unwelcome sexual remarks intended to cause offence, humiliation or intimidation. 
• Based on difference - real or perceived eg hobbies, interests, family set up, social behaviour, dress.

How can parents/carers report bullying?

• Tell a staff member. This could be your child's class teacher, a member of the senior leadership team or a member of the learning engagement team.
• You can speak to a staff member face to face, or contact us via phone or email.

How can a child report bullying?

• They can talk to any adult in school.
• Each classroom has a 'Thoughts and Feelings' bag. Pupils can place a note or their photo into the bag to inform their classroom teacher and LSA of concerns over bullying. 
• Children in Years 4,5 and 6 can alert a staff member of any concerns over bullying by using the post box in school which is checked daily. 

What happens once bullying has been reported?

• The school will provide appropriate support for the target of the bullying - making sure that they are not at risk of immediate harm and will involve them in any decision making, as appropriate. 
• The Senior Behaviour Coordinator or a member of the senior leadership team will interview all parties involved and complete a 'Bullying Incident Log.'
• The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) will be informed of all bullying issues where there are safeguarding concerns. 
• The school will inform other staff members, and parents/carers, about any bullying. 
• Where the bullying takes place off school or outside of normal school hours (including cyber bullying), the school will ensure that the concern is fully investigated. Appropriate action will be taken, including providing support and implementing sanctions in school in accordance with the school's behaviour policy. 

Our Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policies can be found on our Policies Page.