Anti-Bullying
Poole High School believes that all pupils are entitled to learn and achieve in a safe and supportive environment; this means being free from all forms of bullying behaviour.
Learning about tolerance, empathy and difference as part of the school’s curriculum, aim to promote an inclusive, tolerant, and supportive ethos at the school.
All staff, parents and pupils work together to prevent and reduce any instances of bullying at the school. There is a zero-tolerance policy for bullying at the school.
Out Anti-Bullying policy can be located on our policies webpage.
What is bullying?
Bullying is defined as persistent behaviour by an individual or group with the intention of verbally, physically, or emotionally harming another person or group. Bullying is generally characterised by:
Repetition: Incidents are not one-offs; they are frequent and happen over an extended period of time.
Intent: The perpetrator means to cause verbal, physical or emotional harm; it is not accidental.
Targeting: Bullying is generally targeted at a specific individual or group.
Power imbalance: Whether real or perceived, bullying is generally based on unequal power relations.
The definition used with students in school is: "When a person or group of people repeatedly harm another person or group on purpose. The relationship involves an imbalance of power, and it can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face to face or online".
Anti-Bullying Champion
Anti Bullying Champion: Mr S Bury (DSL)
The Anti-Bullying champion monitors all allegations of bullying, oversees the anti-bullying curriculum, and ensures that reporting and signposting are clear. Please use the pastoral contact forms to let us know about about bullying concerns.
Students can report concerns about bullying in the following ways:
- On the home screen of the school intranet (on a computer in school or from home)
- Telling a trusted adult in school (e.g. Tutor, Year office, or DSL)
- Talking to parents or carers who can use the contact forms to communicate with school.
Other useful support and agencies
ChildLine: ChildLine is the UK's free, confidential helpline for children and young people. They offer advice and support, by phone and online, 24 hours a day. Whenever and wherever you need them, they'll be there. Call 0800 1111. They have a designated page for bullying issues that includes a new video about building up your confidence after bullying.
Direct Gov: Information for young people on cyberbullying, bullying on social networks, Internet and email bullying, bullying on mobile phones, bullying at school, what to do about bullying, and information and advice for people who are bullying others and want to stop.
EACH: EACH has a freephone Helpline for children experiencing homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying or harassment: 0808 1000 143. It’s open Monday to Friday 10am-5pm.
CEOP: The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) maintains a website for children and young people, and parents and carers about staying safe online: Think U Know
Kidscape: Information for young people
Cyberbullying
If someone makes you feel uncomfortable or upset online, talk to an adult you can trust, such as a relative or a teacher. If you would prefer to talk to someone ChildLine (0800 1111)
If someone has acted inappropriately online towards you, or someone you know you should talk to an adult, such as parent or teacher, as soon as possible. You can report directly to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP).
