The school will always endeavour to provide an environment where pupils, teachers and parents will be treated with respect and dignity, and be allowed to carry out their tasks without physical, emotional or verbal harassment.
The school will provide a structure of learning where pupils will develop a sense of what is moral, supportive and co-operative, an awareness of the needs and feelings of others and a sense of responsibility to the society of which they are a part.
This will be achieved in the following ways:
Content from the curriculum will be used to promote self-esteem, and to develop awareness of other people by clearly stating, exploring and experiencing what is acceptable behaviour in each new situation.
Parents will be informed via the regular parent evenings and parent interviews, how this is being worked with for the particular age of the child.
By providing training (such as Non-Violent Communication workshops) and resources (such as teachers' handbook) to staff to help develop skills and awareness of bullying issues.
By making clear to pupils and parents the course of action to be followed if a child is the victim or the perpetrator, or both, of bullying.
Each area of the school will adopt appropriate methods of working with the pupils according to their age.
Message to pupils:
a) Every person in the school community should expect to be spoken to, listened to and treated with respect and good manners at all times.
b) Each pupil should expect that his or her personal space, belongings and emotional well-being will not be interfered with or abused by anyone else.
c) If you think you are the victim of bullying or witness any act of bullying, then you are encouraged to speak to your class teacher/sponsor, the teacher on duty, a member of the office staff, an older pupil or your parents.
d) We will always endeavour to work positively with those who bully as well as those who are victims. A 'No Blame' approach is encouraged. This is to allow an appropriate method of exploring the issue – be it a story or picture for the younger pupils, a study of someone's biography or a discussion centred around human rights and values for the older students. Pupils will be encouraged to explore their feelings without being blamed for them. In this way we wish to support a co-operative approach to recognising the situation and possible ways forward. Parents of both the victim and the bully will be notified of any acts of bullying. They will be kept informed of actions taken and outcomes arrived at. They may also wish to add their observations and insights.
e) If however, the bullying continues, the school reserves the right to take appropriate action. This may be (i) a formal meeting between parents, teachers and pupils where an agreed contract of behaviour is drawn up. (ii) The pupil may be suspended until such an agreement is in place or a review of the situation is carried out due to its serious nature. (iii) The pupil may also be suspended if they are considered a danger to themselves or others. Further professional help and support may be necessary at this time. (iv) If there is continued abuse or bullying and contracts are broken, the class may no longer be able to support the pupil being able to be a part of it. This may result in the school excluding the pupil.
Message to Parents
a) If your child shares with you that they are being bullied or victimised at school, then we would encourage you to speak to the class teacher, sponsor or another trusted member of staff.
b) A conversation will be arranged where the appropriate ways forward can be explored, taking in to account the schools 'no blame' approach to bulling.
c) Appropriate ways may include: Supervision Empowering of victim Strategy to avoid further conflict Boosting self-esteem of the victim A clear course of action within the class to enable them to express their feelings and support those involved A way forward found through the above sharing, reflecting both understanding and awareness of the situation.
d) If your child is seen as the perpetrator of bullying, you will be asked to follow the same process as above.
e) It is a hope that resolution and a positive way forward is found so that the pupils can work together with more awareness and understanding of the situation.
f) However, if the perpetrator continues his or her bullying, then you (the parent/s) will be asked to attend a meeting with your son/daughter and members of staff in order to draw up an agreed contract of behaviour.
g) If this is not able to be met, then other professional advice and support may be sought.
h) In the worst cases, where the pupil is deemed to be a danger to themselves or others, the class may no longer be able to support the presence of your son/daughter within it. the school may then decide to exclude the pupil because of this.
i) If it is felt that the action taken and any of the above steps is inappropriate or unfair, then you (the parent/s) may contact the mediation group or the council in order to express your concerns and have them looked into.
j) If this is still unsatisfactory, you have the right to appeal to the Steiner Schools Fellowship.
k) With regard to teachers, if a parent thinks their son/daughter is being bullied or victimised by a teacher, then a conversation with the Education Administrator or or the mediation group is encouraged. If this takes the form of a formal complaint, then the complaints procedure will be brought into effect.
l) If you as a parent feel bullied by any member of staff, then you should contact the mediation group and conversations will be held between yourselves and the member of staff. Both of you will be advised to have a 3rd party present representing each of you.
m) If this approach causes concern, then the council can be approached and an inquiry into the complaint will be undertaken as per the complaints procedure.
Message to Staff
a) As members of staff you should expect your views to be listened to and respected, you are also expected to respect the views of pupils, parents and other members of staff.
b) The school encourages support and openness to and from the pupils and parents. If this is abused, then the member of staff has the right to ask the school for protection. This may be through their sponsor, the mediation group or the Education Administrator.
c) This could, in the worst cases, ask the perpetrator not to come onto the school site until the inquiry into the complaint is completed. This is to ensure the protection and well-being of the member of staff.
d) For allegations against members of staff regarding their abuse of pupils, see Child Protection Policy.