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• • Developing a whole school anti-bullying policy
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Say no to bullying: Towards an anti-bullying policy for schools

This page has been written to support schools in developing or revising their anti-bullying policy and practice. It is intended for senior managers, managers, teachers and support staff. Accompanying documents for parents, governors and children and young people have also been written.

The context

CEA@Islington does not tolerate bullying or harassment. National and local surveys of children and young people show that bullying is common; ChildLine estimate that 20-30% of primary school students and 10 - 20% of secondary school pupils have experienced bullying at some point in their school lives. The charity Young Voice carried out a survey of young people called Islington and You. This showed that rates of bullying in Islington are in line with those found nationally.

The survey also found that in schools that are most effective in dealing with bullying there is a shared understanding about the unacceptability of bullying behaviour. It is good practice to enshrine this understanding in an anti-bullying policy.

Bullying has a serious impact on young people's social, emotional and academic development. It contributes to truancy, illness, absenteeism, poor attainment and even to various psychological disorders. Suicides among bullied children have been prominently reported over recent years. Yet the distinction between the bully and the bullied is not always entirely clear. Some victims become bullies. Half of the severely bullied boys and a third of severely bullied girls admit to bullying someone else. Bullies in turn report having been called names and being physically attacked.

Since September 1999, schools have been required to have anti-bullying policies and Local Education Authorities (LEAs) have been required to ensure that schools comply with this requirement. The DfES has produced a pack: "Don't Suffer in Silence" (2002) to support schools in developing their anti-bullying policy and practice. A new version of this pack is due to be published this year (expected Autumn 2007)

Ofsted Inspectors are expected to report on the extent to which pupils are free from bullying, racism and other forms of harassment. This will include an assessment of how effectively schools deal with bullying incidents, and the effectiveness of the school's links with parents.

A whole school anti-bullying policy, developed by all members of the school community, will ensure that the message that bullying is not tolerated is communicated. This will have a positive impact on the ethos and general running of the school, which in turn will impact on behaviour, attendance and attainment.

The Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator is available to provide support, resources and guidance on planning, writing and implementing your whole-school anti-bullying policy. Toolkits and resources are available, for more information please contact:

Ms Finn Mackay
Tel: 0207 527 5778
Finn.mackay.cea@islington.gov.uk