Anti-Bullying
Bell Baxter High School is committed to the personal and social wellbeing of all children and young people in our school. We aim to provide community, social and learning environments free from any threat or fear, as a matter of right and as a prerequisite to effective learning and development.
In this context all staff who work within the school are unequivocally opposed to bullying. We fully recognise the damage which bullying can do to young people’s lives – both those who bully and those who are bullied – in the short and long term. We are therefore committed to reducing and preventing bullying and providing appropriate support when bullying does occur. Our policy sets clear expectations regarding how these goals will be achieved.
AntiBullying Week 2021
Bell Baxter High School aims to:
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reduce, prevent and respond effectively to bullying;
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improve social behaviour through an effective strategy which actively involves children, parents/carers and staff in positive approaches;
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ensure, through training and participation, that the underlying values of the school are understood and implemented by all those involved;
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ensure that there are effective methods for monitoring, evaluating and reporting on the effectiveness of this policy, including any effects on minority or protected characteristic groups.
The Anti-Bullying policy does not stand alone. The policy complements the school’s Restorative Consequences, A Restorative Classroom and RESPECT in Bell Baxter High School policies. The implementation of the policy is one strand of our development of a positive school ethos which supports the promotion of positive behaviour and raising attainment.
We aim to be a proactive school and through our Assembly and Social Education programmes we promote our values in addition to ensuring that all learners are aware of their responsibilities and know how to report any bullying behaviour.
Nobody has the right to hurt other people by hitting them, kicking them, calling them names, spreading rumours about them or doing anything else which is intended to be upsetting. This includes ‘cyber bullying’ (where social networking sites are used to hurt others) and texting.
What to do if you think you are being bullied
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Talk to someone you can trust – a teacher, parent, relative or friend.
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If you can, write down everything the bullies have done or said to you.
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Keep any texts, emails or comments from social networking sites as evidence and then block the senders.
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If you find it difficult to talk to an adult, ask one of your friends to come with you or ask someone to talk to an adult on your behalf.
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Most importantly, do something. Sometimes bullying stops quickly, but doing nothing means that it may continue until someone is seriously hurt. That could be you or bullies may find a new victim. If their behaviour is not challenged they are unlikely to stop.
What not to do
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Don’t try and deal with the problem on your own – there’s nothing wrong in asking for help.
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Don’t hit out – you might end up being accused of bullying yourself.
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Always tell the truth about what has happened – don’t exaggerate. If a small part of what you are saying is shown to be untrue then it throws everything else into doubt.
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Don’t believe the lies the bullies are telling about you.
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Don’t hide what is happening from people you trust. Keeping things secret is the bullies’ biggest weapon against you. That’s why they go to so much trouble to stop you telling.
The following link take you to our school reporting system. Whether you are the victim, a witness or a parent/guardian, you can complete one of these forms to let us know about an alleged bullying incident in Bell Baxter High School.
Further information about bullying can be found on the respectme, Scotland’s anti-bullying service, website.
