Mallaig High School

Policy on Bullying
Any behaviour which is the illegitimate use of power in order to hurt, intimidate or harrass others is bullying behaviour. Nobody has the right to hurt other people by hitting them, kicking them, calling them names, spreading rumours about them or by doing anything else which is intended to be upsetting. We will not tolerate bullying in this school and we will implement the strategies below to ensure that it does not take place.

Strategies to Prevent Bullying

Awareness Raising S1 induction will feature a slot on anti-bullying policy of school. This will be based on part of the Bully Proofing your
School package. Use of this package will be co-ordinated with the local Primary Schools. Money will be made available for topical bullying information eg video, worksheets etc. Results of an annual questionnaire on bullying will be made known to the whole school.

Organisation Incidents of bullying will be noted in an incident book to be kept in the school office. In addition, a record of incidents
of bullying will be kept by Guidance staff. In a recurring/major bullying incident both sets of parents will be informed. A staff timetable will be dispayed in the social area so that there is easier access to staff when they are not teaching. Non-teaching staff will be made aware of bullying reporting procedure and a formalised liaison procedure between teaching and non-teaching staff will be established. A Letterbox will be made available in the school for confidential submission of problems etc.

Staff Teachers must be sensitive in recognising potential bullies and victims and must react appropriately. Every teacher will use their own teaching time to reinforce the schools policy on bullying and not just expect this to
be dealt with by PSD lessons. Incidents of bullying will be stopped by whichever member of staff is closest at the time. Staff will be punctual to classes. Teachers will not be absent from their classes if at all possible. Bullying can occur in classes especially when teachers are out of their classrooms. Staff presence in and around the school when pupils are not in classes will be increased. Time will be set aside at each staff meeting to discuss cases of bullying or possible bullying. Registration teachers will set aside time regularly to discuss bullying issues with their class.

Victim Support Victim support will be coordinated through first line registration teacher. Pupils will know exactly whom they can talk
to. Victim and bully will be told that all staff will be informed of the bullying incident. Any "rehabilitation" strategies negotiated between victim and teachers will be circulated to all staff.

Pupils Senior pupils will be encouraged to act as go-betweens to allow victims of bullying to pass on problems to staff. Extra curricular activities will be encouraged. Any pupil who becomes aware of a bullying incident will pass on information to a member of staff.