Anti-Bullying at Downton Primary School

Growing together in Love

Our Vision

At Downton Primary School, we foster a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusion where every child feels safe, valued, and heard. We do not tolerate bullying in any form and work proactively to prevent it through education, clear policies, and a strong pupil voice.

Our approach aligns with Ofsted’s focus on behaviour and attitudes, ensuring that:

  • Pupils feel safe and supported.

  • Incidents of bullying are rare and dealt with effectively.

  • Children show a strong moral understanding of fairness, respect, and the impact of their actions.

What is Bullying?

We use the Anti-Bullying Alliance definition:
"Bullying is the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person by another, where there is an imbalance of power. It can happen face-to-face or online."

Types of bullying include:
Emotional: Exclusion, spreading rumours, or intimidation.
Cyberbullying: Online threats, harmful messages, or social media misuse.

Verbal: Name-calling, threats, or teasing.
Physical: Hitting, pushing, or any physical harm.

 

We differentiate between bullying and one-off friendship issues but address all concerns swiftly and effectively.

How We Prevent Bullying

Downton Primary takes a whole-school approach to prevention, education, and early intervention, ensuring that:

A Rigorous Curriculum

  • PSHE & Jigsaw Programme: Structured lessons on relationships, respect, and resilience.

  • Oracy Focus: Children articulate concerns confidently and use restorative language.

  • E-Safety in Every Computing Lesson: We embed online safety into the curriculum.

Proactive Initiatives

  • Anti-Bullying Week: Whole-school events, assemblies, and pupil-led projects.

  • Peer mentors & Playground Buddies: Older pupils support younger ones at playtimes.

  • Worry Boxes in Every Classroom: Encouraging pupils to report concerns.

A Supportive School Culture

  • Pupil-Led School Council: Discusses behaviour and inclusion.

  • Child Net Internet Safety Workshops: Annual external training.

  • Safer Internet Day: School-wide focus on responsible online behaviour.

How to Report Bullying

-        Pupils – Speak to a trusted adult, use a worry box, or tell a Playground Buddy.

-        Parents & Carers – Contact the class teacher or our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Mrs. Carlton.

How We Respond to Bullying

We take all concerns seriously and act swiftly to ensure a resolution. Our response includes:

-        Immediate Support: We listen to all involved and gather evidence.

-        Pupil & Family Support: We provide emotional support for those affected.

-        Restorative Conversations: Helping children resolve issues constructively.

-        Appropriate Consequences: Following our Behaviour Policy.

-        Ongoing Monitoring: Ensuring the situation is resolved long-term.

"Pupils feel safe, happy, and well-supported. The school fosters a strong culture of kindness and respect, ensuring that bullying is extremely rare and always dealt with effectively."

Useful Resources for Parents & Pupils

🔹 Anti-Bullying Alliance
🔹 NSPCC
🔹 Think U Know – Online Safety