Anti Bullying

What is bullying?

At Cedar Mount Academy, we define 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.”

Learning to understand and manage conflict is an important part of growing up. However, bullying is not simply a ‘falling out’. Research shows that experiencing bullying can have a significant impact on a child’s life well into adulthood. To ensure that at CMA we prevent bullying, we act quickly when it takes place and avoid misidentifying bullying, everyone who belongs to our community must have a shared definition of bullying.

Cedar Mount Academy has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and encourages compassionate behaviour.  Bullying is always unacceptable. We aim to create an environment where everyone is welcome and where tolerance and respect, including respect for difference and diversity, are promoted.  Every student and member of staff has the right to be safe and happy in school, and the right to be protected when they are feeling vulnerable.

What is bullying behaviour?

Banter or bullying?

Banter and bullying regularly get confused. However, it is important that children understand where to draw the line between acceptable language and unacceptable language and to recognise when banter goes too far?

https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/tools-information/all-about-bullying/what-bullying/banter

What is online bullying?

Online bullying (often referred to as cyberbullying) is any form of bullying that is carried out through the use of electronic media devices, such as computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, or gaming consoles.

What makes online bullying different?

We know there is a strong link between online bullying and face to face bullying. Research has shown that 80% of victims of online bullying were also bullied face to face.

Bullying is far more widespread now it is online – it doesn’t just happen in school. It affects your social life.  People who cyberbully often don’t see the reaction of those experiencing it so it can sometimes be harder for them to see the impact of their actions

This short video shows can you how to be an “upstander”, not a “bystander”.

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeqQCyQOCPg

What does Cyberbullying look like?

The most common places where cyberbullying occurs are:

1. Social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok

2. Text messaging and messaging apps on mobile or tablet devices

3. Instant messaging, direct messaging, and online chatting over the internet

4. Online forums, chat rooms, and message boards, such as Reddit

5. Email

6. Online gaming communities

If you or anyone you know is being bullied either in person or online please report this to a member of staff as soon as possible. Don’t forget you can make a report on Whisper  here