Bullying is behaviour by an individual or group, repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally. Bullying can take many forms (for instance, cyber-bullying via social media or the internet). It can involve verbal taunts, name calling, physical injury, and damage to property, rumour spreading, shunning or ridicule and is often motivated by prejudice against particular groups, for example on grounds of ethnicity, religion, belief, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability, or because a child is in care, has caring responsibilities or mental health issues. It might be motivated by actual differences, perceived differences or as a result of association with someone else.
We aim for every child to be safe and happy whilst at school; however, we know that sometimes we will need to support children and their families when things don’t go as well as they should do. In our continuous endeavor to ensure we provide a safe, inclusive, diverse and secure learning environment for all members of our community, we take part in National Anti-Bullying Week every November. It will take place between 11th-15th November 2024 and has the theme 'CHOOSE RESPECT'. The week kicked off with Odd Socks Day on Monday 11th November, where adults and children wore odd socks to celebrate what makes them unique.
The theme came about following consultation with pupils and teachers by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, which co-ordinates Anti-Bullying Week every year in England and Wales. Teachers and children wanted a theme that empowered them to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes.
Research shows that experiencing bullying can have a significant impact on a child’s life well into adulthood. This Anti-Bullying Week let’s come together to have discussions about what bullying means to us, how banter can turn into something more hurtful, and what we can do to stop bullying. Together, we can make a difference and take a stand against bullying. From the playground to Parliament, and from our phones to our homes, let’s make a noise about bullying. Anti-Bullying Week will remind everyone whether it’s in school, at home, in the community or online, we can bring an end to bullying. So, this Anti-Bullying Week, let’s come together and make some noise about bullying. 
The week provides an opportunity for the whole school community to focus on and make clear that all forms of bullying are unacceptable and not tolerated. During the week we plan whole school, year group and class activities that will help the children to define bullying behaviour, understand what to do if they are being bullied and begin to understand how it feels to be bullied. We encourage the children to consider their own definitions of bullying, what it may involve, and advice on what to do. We will all be kind and helpful to one another. This is done sensitively, taking into account the age range of the children.
This important week informs our ongoing work to develop a whole school approach to ensure our young children are able to think, discuss, challenge and explore issues around positive and negative relationships in a safe and inclusive environment.
Please click here to view a copy of our current Anti-Bullying Policy, which was reviewed during Anti-Bullying Week 2023. We have also developed a set of safety strategies to support our positive behaviour approach. Click here to view the safety strategies we use in school.
The children of Stanford Infant School have also developed a leaflet to support children staying safe and happy at school and what to do if things go wrong. Each year we send home a copy with your child. A copy can be viewed here: ‘Staying Safe and Happy at Stanford Infant School’, alternatively you can request a copy from the School Office.
Brighton and Hove City Council have developed resources to support schools in this important area. Below you can view the ‘Safe from Bullying’ leaflet. This leaflet aims to support parents and carers to work with schools to resolve bullying issues if they arise and has been devised by Brighton and Hove City Council’s Children’s Services in partnership with the Parents’ Forum, and other Statutory and Community and Voluntary Sector Organisations.
leaflet bullying parents 51611.pdf