Anti-Bullying Policy

1. Policy Statement

At Summer Boost, we believe that every child has the right to feel safe, valued, and respected. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Our aim is to provide a nurturing and inclusive environment where children aged 5–15 can learn, play and grow free from intimidation or harm. We are committed to preventing bullying and addressing any incidents swiftly and effectively.

2. What Is Bullying?

Bullying is behaviour that is:

• Repeated
• Intended to hurt someone either physically, emotionally, or socially
• Involves a real or perceived imbalance of power

Bullying can take various forms, including:

• Physical: hitting, kicking, pushing, taking or damaging belongings
• Verbal: name-calling, threats, teasing, racist or sexist remarks
• Emotional: excluding others, spreading rumours, intimidation
• Cyberbullying: sending offensive or threatening messages online or via mobile devices

3. Our Approach to Preventing Bullying

At Summer Boost, we foster a positive culture where:

• Respect, kindness and empathy are modelled by staff and encouraged among students
• Differences in background, culture, appearance and ability are celebrated
• Children are taught how to identify, report and prevent bullying through age-appropriate activities and discussions
• Staff are alert to the signs of bullying and take all reports seriously

4. Responsibilities

• All staff and tutors are responsible for creating a safe environment and responding promptly to concerns.
• The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) oversees all bullying-related incidents and ensures appropriate action is taken.
• Children are encouraged to speak up if they witness or experience bullying.
• Parents/carers are encouraged to raise concerns and work with us in addressing them.

5. Procedures for Handling Bullying

If bullying is reported or suspected:

• The incident will be taken seriously and investigated immediately by the DSL or a senior staff member.
• All parties involved will be spoken to separately and confidentially.
• A record of the incident and actions taken will be kept.
• Appropriate consequences will be applied in line with the child's age and the severity of the behaviour.
• Support will be offered to both the target and the child displaying bullying behaviour, including possible involvement of parents and relevant services.

6. Support for Children

• Children who have been bullied will receive reassurance, emotional support, and a clear plan to keep them safe.
• Children who have bullied others will be helped to understand the impact of their behaviour and supported to make positive changes.

7. Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed each year in line with our safeguarding procedures, or sooner if needed. Patterns and trends will be monitored to inform prevention strategies.

This policy was last updated on July 1, 2025 and is reviewed annually.