Anti-bullying

At Eggbuckland Community College, we are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment where every student is valued and respected. Our school takes a firm stand against bullying in all its forms, promoting a culture of kindness, empathy, and inclusivity. We encourage acceptance of all students, embracing their unique identities, backgrounds, and experiences.

 

Through our proactive approach, we challenge any behaviours that mistreat or harm others, ensuring that our community is a place where everyone can thrive without fear of discrimination or bullying. Together, we work to build a positive and welcoming atmosphere where every individual feels empowered to be their authentic self.

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What is Bullying

There is no legal definition of bullying, but the Department for Education (DfE) defines bullying as behaviour by an individual or group, repeated over time, that is intended to hurt or harm another individual or group, either physically or emotionally

Examples of this could be:

· Physical aggression (e.g., hitting, pushing, or damaging property)

· Social exclusion (e.g., deliberately leaving someone out or spreading rumours)

· Cyberbullying (e.g., online harassment, offensive messages, or sharing private information without consent)

Bullying involves an imbalance of power, where the person being targeted feels unable to defend themselves.

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What is Not Considered Bullying?

It is important to distinguish between bullying and isolated incidents of conflict or inappropriate behaviour. Single incidents, arguments, or occasional hurtful comments—while unacceptable and still addressed by the school—do not constitute bullying unless they form part of a repeated pattern of behaviour. However, such incidents will still be taken seriously and may result in appropriate sanctions or restorative actions.

 

How We Address Bullying

All reports of bullying are taken seriously and will be investigated thoroughly. Our process includes:

· Listening carefully to all parties involved

· Collecting relevant information to establish the facts

· Assessing whether the behaviour meets the definition of bullying

· Applying appropriate interventions and sanctions if bullying is proven

· Providing support to both the victim and the perpetrator

· Monitoring the situation to prevent recurrence

Reporting Concerns

Students, parents, and staff are encouraged to report any concerns about bullying or inappropriate behaviour. Reports can be made confidentially through:

· Speaking to a trusted member of staff

· Using the school's online reporting system

· Contacting the pastoral care team directly

Key contacts to report concerns to:

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Supporting Our Students

Our school offers a range of support services, mediation, pastoral mentoring, and healthy relationship support to help those affected by bullying and to educate students on positive behaviour.

However, we can in turn help the bully stop re-offending with some support and guidance. For additional support to help with students that struggle with dealing with confrontational situations we will offer 1-2-1 from key Pastoral staff and look to use external agencies where appropriate. We offer mediation between students where appropriate. By working together, we can ensure that every student feels safe, respected, and valued at Eggbuckland Community College.