Dainfern College

Ethos

• At Dainfern Preparatory we have a Zero Tolerance policy towards Bullying and Racism.
• We aim to establish a community in which everybody feels valued and safe, and where individual differences are appreciated, understood and accepted.

Definitions:

Bullying

Bullying is the wilful, conscious desire to hurt another person who is in a less powerful position, by means of physical, psychological or verbal abuse.

Racism

Racism is the overt or covert belief in the superiority of a particular race and wilful antagonistic behaviour shown towards people of a different race.

Both represent a misuse of power and would include the following types of behaviour:

• Name calling.
• Kicking, hitting, punching, deliberately bumping.
• Teasing, taunting and mocking.
• Using threatening gestures.
• Spreading nasty rumours.
• Intentionally isolating a person from activities.
• Insulting family members.
• Damaging someone’s property.

Principles:

We believe that everybody at Dainfern College has rights and responsibilities.

We do not tolerate bullying and it is the right of every pupil not to suffer bullying and his/her responsibility to report bullying whether it happens to him/herself or somebody else.

Procedures:

• Consistent bullying should be reported to a counsellor or a relevant member of staff.
• All incidents of consistent bullying will be thoroughly investigated and acted upon.
• Bullies will be disciplined according to the Disciplinary Policy of the school.
• Should bullying persist, the ultimate disciplinary sanctions of rustication or expulsion will be employed.
• Minor incidents of bullying will be dealt with through the support structures inherent in the Pastoral Care Policy of the school i.e. Class Teachers, Life Skills Teachers and School Counsellors.

Confidentiality will be maintained if possible.