Bullying in any form is unacceptable to the Treeby Primary School community, and as adults we are all responsible for modelling appropriate behaviour, including on social media.
Bullying is a misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that causes physical and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power over one or more persons (imbalance of power). Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert).
Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying. However, these conflicts still need to be addressed and resolved.
Behaviours that do not constitute bullying include:
- mutual arguments and disagreements (where there is no power imbalance);
- not liking someone or a single act of social rejection;
- one off acts of meanness or spite;
- isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence.
Positive Behaviour Support linked to the explicit teaching of expected behaviours, restorative justice processes and positive reinforcement are utilised at our school to prevent and respond to incidents of bullying.
Bullying behaviour on social media is of growing concern. As models of appropriate behaviour we ask that parents engage positively on social media and raise any concerns or queries directly with the school. Negatively discussing other people’s children or naming staff online, could be an example of bullying which is not acceptable. We also encourage parents to monitor their children’s internet usage and ensure that they do not engage with social media, in accordance with each platforms’ age restrictions.