An Anti-bullying policy is vital to ensure your organisation takes a stand against bullying and other forms of inappropriate behaviour. Many schools, education organisations and work places have strict policies surrounding bullying and take a zero tolerance stance. However, since bullying can take many forms and occur in many places, it is vital for educators to be aware of tackling this behaviour as it can have severe and lasting effects on students’ mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. 

What is Bullying

The Anti-Bullying Alliance defines bullying as “The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or online.”

Bullying can be extremely damaging as it can lead to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even physical health issues, creating a hostile and unsafe learning environment. It is important to remember that bullying is a behaviour of choice. A person is not defined as a ‘bully’, it is not who they are but rather a choice they have made. It is important to understand that people have a choice in how they treat others: either with respect or disrespect. 

Different types of Bullying

Bullying can happen online and face-to-face. Both online and face-to-face bullying can be really hurtful and can have serious consequences, like low self-esteem, anxiety, depression or self-harming behaviours. 

Bullying can take many different forms::

  • Physical bullying e.g. hitting someone or pushing someone
  • Verbal bullying e.g. name-calling, making threats at someone 
  • Social and Emotional bullying e.g. spreading rumours, excluding someone 
  • Cyberbullying e.g. harassment through digital platforms

Bullying is harmful because it can cause significant emotional, psychological, and physical distress. It can undermine a person’s self-esteem, cause anxiety and depression, and lead to long-term mental health issues. The effects of bullying can be severe and lasting. Victims may experience anxiety, depression, loneliness, and low self-esteem. It can also lead to problems at school such as poor attendance, , physical health issues, and, in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts or actions.

By recognising the signs of bullying and taking proactive measures, educators can help prevent it, support affected students, and foster a school culture of respect and inclusion where all students feel safe and valued.

Anti-Bullying: Disagreeing with Others Respectfully

When discussing bullying with students it is important to model respect and how to speak to each other respectfully and ways to disagree respectfully. Often it can be hard to stay respectful, especially when we disagree with someone or they are not treating us with respect. However, the more we model respect to others the easier it will become. The Anti-bullying Alliance says that respect is interconnected, meaning when we treat others respectfully they are more likely to do the same. 

Rules for disagreeing respectfully:

  • Don’t assume bad intentions. Just because someone disagrees with something you think or feel does not mean they are trying to upset you or harm you. 
  • Ask questions. Understanding differences helps us to build respect, ask the person you are disagreeing with why they feel that way and what their thoughts are.
  • Listening. When having a discussion or a disagreement, it is important to listen to each other and ensure that both sides feel heard and understood. 
  • Pause. If the disagreement becomes heated, or upsetting, walk away and come back to it later if necessary. 

It is important that students understand it is never okay to use bullying behaviours when someone doesn’t agree with them. Treating others with respect will always be the best way forward. Putting in some time to focus on emotional regulation with your students is a really great way at practicing some key skills that will support them to have respectful conversations even during difficult topics.

A Whole-School Approach to Anti-Bullying 

It is vital that your anti-bullying policy is not just implemented over a few classes a week. Rather your anti-bullying policy should be implemented across the school and embedded into the whole-school approach. Here are some tips to do this.

Dedicated Anti-Bullying Curriculum Time and Resources 

Make sure anti-bullying has dedicated curriculum time and you have dedicated resources to help educate your students on anti-bullying. Topics that you should be covering as part of your statutory RSHE that are used for an anti-bullying focus include understanding discrimination, forming positive relationships and supporting others. Check out our free poster pack of 4 anti-bullying posters for your classroom.

Teaching and Learning 

Are learners engaged with the lessons and do teachers feel confident with the material? Make sure you have learning walks to examine if the lessons are working for both students and teachers. 

Staff Training on Anti-Bullying 

Ensure staff within the school environment feel prepared and equipped to challenge inappropriate bullying behaviours and ensure staff are all training on how to use inclusive language in school. 

Working with Parents and Carers

Students are only at school for a set amount of time, therefore it is vital these conversations continue at home. Make sure you are communicating effectively with parents and carers and they are aware of your policies and any conversations taking place within the school. 

A Culture of Safety and Respect 

This can encompass your policies and procedures and also any behaviour intervention materials. Make sure there are safe spaces for students and staff to seek support. 

Youth Voice 

Asking young people about their experiences are vital in ensuring your anti-bullying focus is working and is meeting the needs of all of your students. Ensure that you are deliberate in making time and space to hear from all student voices e.g. those from the LGBTQ+ community or other minority groups so that you can be confident that your whole-school approach and procedures are inclusive.  Peer influence is a really powerful tool so if we can empress upon our students how influence can be used positively and give them real examples of those who have championed kindness and respect, we can hope to influence our students to do the same. 

Leadership

Who leads on anti-bullying within your school? Since there should be a whole-school approach to anti-bullying that means there needs to be support from the senior leadership team and in others areas to ensure consistent messaging is being shared. 

We hope these tips help you to implement a whole-school approach to anti-bullying in your setting. 

Resources:

www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk 

www.youngminds.org.uk 

References:

Our definition of bullying

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