Anti-Bullying
Everyone at Primrose Hill has the right to feel safe, respected and included.
At Euxton Primrose Hill Primary School, we believe that every child has the right to come to school feeling safe, happy and valued.
Bullying is not accepted at our school. We take concerns about bullying seriously and work with children and families to prevent bullying, respond to concerns and support everyone involved.
We believe that positive relationships, respectful behaviour and a strong sense of belonging help to create a school where everyone feels safe, included and valued.
Our approach to bullying sits alongside our Behaviour Policy, Safeguarding Policy and Online Safety Policy.
💬 Worried about bullying?
Please talk to us. We are here to listen and help.
If you are worried about bullying, friendship difficulties, your child's wellbeing or something that has happened to your child, please talk to us.
You can speak to your child's class teacher, Phase Leader or a member of our Senior Leadership Team.
If you have a concern about your child's safety or wellbeing, you can also speak directly to any member of our safeguarding team.
We want parents and carers to feel comfortable raising concerns with us, however big or small.
[Meet our Safeguarding Team]
What do we mean by bullying?
Children will sometimes experience disagreements, friendship difficulties or occasional unkind behaviour. These situations are taken seriously and addressed, but they are not necessarily bullying.
There is no single legal definition of bullying. At Primrose Hill, we consider bullying to be behaviour that is:
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Repeated – it happens more than once or forms part of an ongoing pattern.
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Intentional – there is an intention to cause harm, distress or upset.
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Hurtful – the behaviour causes physical or emotional harm.
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An imbalance of power – one child or group has greater power, influence or control over another.
Bullying can happen in person, online or through a combination of both.
We recognise that a single serious incident can cause significant harm and will always be taken seriously, even where it does not meet our definition of bullying.
What can bullying look like?
Bullying can take many different forms.
Physical bullying
Hitting, kicking, pushing or deliberately causing physical harm.
Verbal bullying
Repeated name-calling, insults, threats or hurtful comments.
Emotional or relational bullying
Deliberately excluding someone, spreading rumours, manipulating friendships or repeatedly making someone feel isolated.
Cyberbullying
Bullying through phones, games, messaging, social media or other online platforms.
Prejudice-based or discriminatory bullying
Targeting someone because of who they are or are perceived to be, including their race, religion or belief, disability, sex, sexual orientation or gender reassignment.
Sexual harassment or harmful sexual behaviour
Unwanted sexual comments, behaviour or contact.
Bullying may involve more than one of these forms.
Preventing bullying
Preventing bullying is everyone's responsibility.
We work hard to create a positive school culture where children feel safe, valued and able to talk to trusted adults.
We promote positive relationships and respectful behaviour through:
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our CARE values and whole-school ethos
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our Behaviour and Relationships curriculum
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PSHE and Computing teaching
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assemblies and discussions about friendship, kindness, respect and inclusion
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teaching children how to recognise and respond to unkind or unsafe behaviour
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encouraging children to speak to trusted adults
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appropriate supervision and monitoring throughout the school day
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supporting children to develop empathy, resilience and positive relationships
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working closely with parents and carers
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responding promptly when concerns are raised.
We also help children understand that being a bystander matters. Children are encouraged to seek help from an adult if they see someone being bullied or treated in a way that makes them feel unsafe.
What happens if bullying is reported?
If a child, parent or member of staff raises a concern about bullying, we will listen carefully and take the concern seriously.
Listen
We give the child and family an opportunity to explain what has happened.
Understand
We gather information and speak to the relevant children and adults so that we can understand the situation.
Respond
We take appropriate action in line with our Behaviour Policy and the circumstances of the situation.
Support
We provide appropriate support to the child who has experienced bullying and work with the child or children whose behaviour has caused concern.
Monitor
Where concerns are ongoing, we continue to monitor the situation and review the support and actions put in place.
Where behaviour raises a safeguarding concern, we will follow our safeguarding procedures and consider whether further support or referral is required.
What if my child tells me they are being bullied?
If your child tells you that they are being bullied, try to remain calm and listen carefully.
Reassure your child:
“You have done the right thing by telling me.”
Let them know that they are not to blame and that you will help them.
Please contact school so that we can understand what has happened and work with you to support your child.
It can be helpful to tell us:
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what has happened
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who was involved
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when and where it happened
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whether it has happened before
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whether it has happened online
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how your child is feeling and how it is affecting them.
Please do not feel that you need to establish whether something is officially “bullying” before contacting us.
If you are worried about your child's experience, please talk to us. We will listen to your concerns and consider the most appropriate response.
Bullying and safeguarding
Bullying can sometimes be part of wider child-on-child abuse and may have safeguarding implications.
We recognise that children can cause harm to other children, both in school and outside school, including online. We do not dismiss harmful behaviour as simply “children being children” or “part of growing up”.
Where appropriate, concerns will be shared with our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy DSLs and managed in accordance with our safeguarding procedures.
We consider the needs and circumstances of all children involved and take appropriate action to keep children safe and support their wellbeing.
Bullying and equality
We are committed to ensuring that every child is treated fairly and with dignity and respect.
We do not tolerate bullying, harassment or discriminatory behaviour relating to protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
We actively promote an inclusive school community in which children are encouraged to respect differences and understand that everyone has the right to feel that they belong.
Online bullying
Bullying does not stop at the school gate.
Cyberbullying can take place through messaging services, online games, social media, group chats and other digital platforms. It can happen outside school hours and can quickly reach a large audience.
Our Online Safety curriculum helps children understand how to behave safely and respectfully online, how to block and report inappropriate behaviour, and how to seek help when something goes wrong.
If your child is experiencing bullying online, please contact us.
Useful support for families
Anti-Bullying Alliance
Information and resources for children, parents, carers and schools about preventing and responding to bullying.
Visit the Anti-Bullying Alliance
Childline
Free, confidential advice and support for children and young people.
Visit Childline – Bullying and Abuse
Childnet
Advice and resources to help children and families stay safe online, including support with cyberbullying.
Internet Matters
Practical advice for parents and carers about children's online safety, including cyberbullying.
Visit Internet Matters – Cyberbullying
Our Anti-Bullying Policy
Our Anti-Bullying Policy explains in more detail how we prevent and respond to bullying at Euxton Primrose Hill Primary School.
You can read our current policy on our Policies page.
If you are worried about your child's safety, wellbeing or experience at school, please talk to us.
We would always rather know about a concern early so that we can work together to support your child.
