Anti-Bullying Week

Dear Parents,

Our school is taking part in the Anti-Bullying Week this half term, Monday through Friday, 13-17 November 2017. The Anti-Bullying Week helps schools to shine a spotlight on bullying and encourage all children, teachers and parents to take action against bullying throughout the year.

The theme this year is ‘All Different, All Equal’, as announced by the Anti-Bullying Alliance in England with the following key aims:
– promote difference and equality in schools
– help children and young people celebrate what makes them, and others, unique
– help them understand why it’s important that every child feels included in school able to be themselves without fear of bullying
– help students, parents and teachers create a safe environment
– support children with issues relating to bullying and working together with schools to stop bullying.

This year we’ve planned interesting activities such as: Royal School Anti-Bullying Manifesto “Zero Tolerance to Bullying” to be signed by everyone involved with our school, students, parents, carers, RS staff; PSHEE lessons for students and teachers to help identify, manage and deal with bullying situations; art exhibitions to work with feelings; a Labyrinth Theatre– All Different, All Equal (participating classes: Years 5-6, 7-8, 9 and 10); mini-workshops for young students prepared by our Student Ambassadors Team.

Please help your child talking about bullying and how it can be stopped; this Guidance for Parents and Guardians (from Royal School Anti-Bullying Policy) may be of use. If you need extra guidance, please let us know.

If your child has been bullied:

• Calmly talk with your child about his/her experiences
• Make a note of what your child says including who was involved, how often the bullying has occurred, where it happened and what happened
• Reassure your child that he/she has done the right thing to tell you about the bullying
• Explain to your child that should any further incidents occur, immediately report to an adult in school
• Make an appointment to see your child’s form tutor
• Explain to the teacher the problems your child is experiencing

When talking with members of staff about bullying:

• Be as specific as possible about what your child says has happened; give dates, places and names.
• Make a note of what action the school intends to take
• Ask if there is anything you can do to help your child at home or the school
• Stay in touch with the school and let them know if things improve as well as if problems continue

If you are not satisfied:

• Check with the school anti-bullying policy to see if agreed procedures are being followed
• Make an appointment to discuss the matter with the Headmaster and keep a record of the meeting

If your child is displaying bullying behaviour towards others:

• Talk with your child and explain that what he/she is doing is unacceptable and makes other children unhappy;
• Show your child how he/she can join in with other children without bullying;
• Make an appointment to see your child’s form teacher and explain the problems your child is experiencing;
• Show you can work together, to stop him/ her bullying others;
• Check with your child how things are going at school;
• Praise and encourage, when he/ she is co-operative or kind to other people;

If your child is experiencing any form of cyber-bullying:

• Ensure your child is careful whom they give their mobile phone number and e-mail address to;
• Check exactly when a threatening message was sent and keep evidence of offending e-mails, text messages or online conversations. Do not delete messages;
• If the bullying involves a student from school contact the school to report this;
• Contact the service provider to report the incidents;
• If the cyber-bullying is serious and a potential criminal offence has been committed, you should consider contacting the police.