Our Commitment to Preventing Bullying at Bottisham Village College

Bottisham Village College defines bullying as repeated negative behaviour that is intended to make others feel upset, uncomfortable or unsafe.

Commitment to Effective Anti-Bullying Practices at Bottisham Village College 

Bottisham Village College is dedicated to continuously enhancing our Anti-Bullying strategies. We have recently partnered with the Anti-Bullying Alliance in their ‘United Against Bullying’ program to further develop our approach. This collaboration involved a thorough review of our existing policies and practices, along with gathering valuable insights from both students and parents.

We are proud to announce that our efforts were recognised with the Bronze Award from the Anti-Bullying Alliance in September 2023, reflecting our commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for all our students.

For Our School Community:

Creating a Safe Environment: We strive to create an inclusive atmosphere where every student feels respected and valued, reinforcing our college ethos and British values.

Positive Behaviour and Confidence: Through respect and confidence-building, we encourage positive interactions among students.

Student Leadership Opportunities: We develop roles like Anti-Bullying Ambassadors to promote a positive culture and actively prevent bullying.

Education: Bullying awareness is incorporated into the PSHE curriculum, raising awareness and promoting understanding among students.

Visibility and Awareness: School-wide posters are displayed, highlighting the effects of bullying and emphasising the importance of respect and kindness.

Staff Training: Comprehensive training is provided to staff to recognise and respond effectively to bullying.

Support for Vulnerable Students: We identify and support the needs of our most vulnerable students, helping them manage relationships and intervening early if problems arise.

Supporting Targets of Bullying:

Encouraging Reporting: Students are encouraged to inform someone if they know bullying is taking place.

Safe Spaces: We provide calm spaces and access to Anti-bullying Ambassadors for students seeking peer support.

Access to Resources: Information and mechanisms to report concerns are readily available online and signposted through safeguarding updates, posters, and during tutor time.

Regular Follow-Ups: We ensure follow-up conversations and regular check-in dates are scheduled to support the well-being of affected students.

Communication with Families: Pastoral staff issue follow-up letters or emails to the families of students who have been targeted.

Empowering Students to Act:

Active Involvement: We encourage students not to be bystanders but to consider safe actions they could take to defend peers.

Reporting Channels: Incidents can be reported to trusted adults or anonymously through our reporting form on this website.

Supporting Victims: Students are encouraged to be supportive friends and to speak up against hurtful comments.

Seeking Guidance: Students unsure of what to do can reach out to form tutors or Anti-Bullying Ambassadors.

Understanding Responsibility: It’s important for students to understand their role in reporting bullying and supporting their peers.

Role of Parents in Addressing Bullying:

Identifying Bullying: Parents should clarify if a situation constitutes bullying, as per our adopted definition.

Working with Children: Encourage your child to take control of the situation, helping them build confidence.

Collaborating with the School: We urge parents to work with us, following our procedures to address bullying.

Avoiding External Conflicts: It’s crucial to avoid confronting other parents or posting about the issue on social media.

Supportive Responses: Advising children to simply ignore bullying is discouraged; we emphasise the right to feel safe.

Reporting Serious Incidents: If bullying occurs outside of school involving severe issues, it should be reported to the police.

Keeping Records and Monitoring: Maintain a diary of bullying incidents and monitor your child’s social media use, ensuring appropriate safety measures are in place.

Online Bullying and Internet Safety:

Addressing Online Bullying: We recognise the increasing prevalence of online bullying and have strategies in place to tackle it, including awareness in our curriculum.

Staying Safe Online: Students are educated on the importance of staying safe online, including the risks associated with internet use and social media.

Age Requirements on Social Media: We stress the importance of adhering to age restrictions on social media platforms, ensuring students understand the reasons behind these rules.

CEOP Guidance: We provide guidance on using the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) command for reporting online bullying and abuse.

Parental Controls and Monitoring: Parents are advised on setting up appropriate parental controls and monitoring their children’s online activities to ensure safety.

Together, we can combat bullying effectively, creating a safer, more inclusive environment for all students at Bottisham Village College.