As a one form entry we are lucky enough to get to know our children really well. All adults are committed to supporting wellbeing and meeting need. Children not meeting expectations need support to develop skills to manage in school and the wider world, just as with any other barrier to learning.
We believe children who feel better, do better and use both the Empowerment Approach and Therapeutic Thinking to provide positive, empathetic and supportive experiences for all. This in turn enables them to develop the skills to feel empathy and show respect for others. Relationships are key.
In order to change behaviour, children need to be able to recognise the impact of their actions (educational consequences). While they are developing these skills, measures are put in place to prevent the behaviour reoccurring (protective consequences).
Understanding that everyone has “mental health” just as we have “physical health” is key to our ethos. Challenge is a natural part of life, and is usually healthy (performances, learning new skills, interviews, exams e.g.). Recognition of challenge as growth is embedded in our curriculum, assemblies and approach to supporting wellbeing and behaviour.
Please see our Behaviour Policy, Empowerment Approach Handbook and SEND Policy for greater detail. Workshops are available for further information during the academic year.
At Chantry we use the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) definition of bullying.
The four key elements to this are hurtful, repetition, intentional and power imbalance. We use this to explore whether the behaviour can be defined as “bullying”.
Both friendship difficulties and bullying behaviour can be hurtful for children. With friendship difficulties all children are likely to be upset. Intent and power imbalance are key to behaviour being classed as “bullying”.
Children are not always aware of the impact of words and actions. We therefore make this the focus of our support initially, and escalate the level of support if required.
Prevention of and support for Bullying Behaviour:
We politely request that these avenues are followed prior to posting on social media so an accurate picture is available to all and we can work together to support difficulties.
Information and support for children and parents/carers
https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/bullying-and-cyberbullying/
https://www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk/kids.html
https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/bullying/advice-for-parents
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/bullying/
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ - specifically for online bullying and abuse