What Is Bullying?
Bullying is unacceptable behaviour used by an individual or group, repeated over a sustained period of time, that deliberately hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally and where there is an imbalance of power of one person or persons over another.
Bullying involves dominance of one person by another, or a group of others.
In other words, bullying at Sheringham Community Primary School is considered to be, “unacceptable behaviour which occurs ‘lots of times, on purpose’.”
Bullying can be short term or continuous over long periods of time.
What bullying is not:
It is important to understand that bullying is not the odd occasion of falling out with friends, name calling, arguments or when the occasional trick or joke is played on someone.
It is bullying if it is done several times on purpose.
Children sometimes fall out or say things because they are upset.
When occasional problems of this kind arise it is not classed as bullying.
It is an important part of children’s development to learn how to deal with friendship breakdowns, the odd name calling or childish prank.
We all have to learn how to deal with these situations and develop social skills to repair relationships.
Our Curriculum & Bullying:
Via, our PSHE curriculum, children will learn about bullying when they cover the ‘My Beliefs’ unit. This is an example of the objectives covered in Year 5:
Bullying is also a central theme in our learning about ‘Emotional Wellbeing’. This is a Year 4 example:
Children are also taught about cyberbullying and how to keep safe online in their e-Safety lessons.
Tricky Friends
Sometimes we fall out with friends. Sometimes this happens quite a lot and could be misinterpreted as bullying.
The Norfolk Safeguarding Partnership have produced a video about tricky friends. It is available to watch here: https://www.norfolklscb.org/children-young-people/tricky-friends/
For any of your safeguarding concerns:
If you ever have a concern about a child or adult please speak to any member of staff who will support you, alternatively you can speak with our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mr Amies.
We have updated the safeguarding page on our website. There are some helpful links to organisations that might be able to provide support for you, should you require, with such things as bereavement, benefits, debt, legal issues and more.
For more information, visit the safeguarding section of our website: https://www.sheringhamprimary.norfolk.sch.uk/our-school/safeguarding/
We are able to offer support with many family issues, so please do contact Mr Amies, at the school, if you would like to discuss anything that we might be able to help with.
We also have trained Domestic Violence Champions for Change in school.
If anyone would like advice or information on this very sensitive area please contact Mrs Carter or Mr Amies.
