Bullying hurts and no-one deserves to be bullied. In our academy we recognise that bullying, especially if left unaddressed, can have a devasting effect on individuals. It can be a barrier to learning and have serious consequences on mental health. Bullying which takes place at school can have a lasting effect on a young person’s life into adulthood. We aim to provide a safe, caring and friendly climate for learning for all our students to allow them to improve their life chances and help them maximise their potential. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect, to feel welcome, secure and happy. We also aim to produce an inclusive environment for all students which openly discusses differences between people and celebrates diversity. We expect students to act safely and feel safe in the school. We also want parents to feel confident that their children are safe and cared for in the academy and incidents, where they do arise, are dealt with promptly and effectively. What is bullying? There is no legal definition of bullying but at Mulberry Academy Hastings, we have adopted a definition developed and agreed by students, which is: ‘The intentional, repeated act of behaving negatively towards another person or group, where an imbalance of power is involved’. An occasional conflict or disagreement is not bullying. These are an inevitable part of group dynamics, and it is normal for people to have a difference of opinion. However, we recognise that repeated friendship problems can sometimes lead to bullying behaviour.
What does bullying look like?
Bullying can take many forms and can be:
- Physical – including pushing, hitting, kicking or any use of violence
- Verbal – including name calling, insulting, making offensive remarks, spreading rumours
- Emotional – including unfriendly or unkind behaviour, behaviour that excludes people, tormenting behaviour
- Cyber – including all areas of online activity, including email, text, group chats and social media to say, write or share hurtful things about others
- Material – including targeting financial deprivation, damaging property, extortion
- Racist – including racial comments, taunts, gestures and harassment
- Sexual – including unwanted physical contact, sexualised comments or gestures
- Gender and identity-based – including homophobic language, bi-phobic and transphobic comments
- Religion or belief-based
- Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) – targeting students who have special educational needs or disabilities
Preventing bullying
We employ a number of strategies to help our students feel safe in school and prevent bullying. This starts with a clear Anti-Bullying policy, which all staff know and understand, ensuring they are competent and confident in responding to incidents of bullying, and do so effectively and consistently. We also encourage students and parents to familiarise themselves with the policy which, as well as being found in the key documents section of this website, can be accessed via the link at the bottom of this page.
Students undertake anonymous surveys so we can collate information about their experiences of bullying and use that to inform decisions about our practice and provision. They also help us to measure results of our efforts over time to ensure they are working. We also enable staff, students and parents to have an input into our anti-bullying provision through our strategy groups.
The academy raises awareness of bullying and managing relationships in numerous ways but notably through PSHE lessons, tutor times and assemblies. Anti-Bullying Week, Safer Internet Day and Mental Health Awareness Week are acknowledged and used as opportunities to do so. How to respond to online bullying is taught as part of our online safety curriculum which is taught weekly in tutor time.
Students are consistently reminded how to report bullying through tutor time and assemblies as well as through our safeguarding posters which are prevalent around the academy. Parents are also provided with guidance, in addition to this webpage, with the academy newsletter regularly containing advice on bullying and online safety.
How to report bullying
We encourage all bullying to be reported. Students can report incidents of bullying to any member of staff or by emailing talktous@thehastingsacademy.org.uk
If a parent/carer wishes to report an incident of bullying they should contact their child’s head of year, all of whom have completed designated safeguarding lead training.
| Year | Head of year | Contact email |
|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | Miss Wright | e.wright@thehastingsacademy.org.uk |
| Year 8 | Ms Wickens | j.wickens@thehastingsacademy.org.uk |
| Year 9 | Ms Paines | s.paines@thehastingsacademy.org.uk |
| Year 10 | Mr Mellish | o.mellish@thehastingsacademy.org.uk |
| Year 11 | Miss Clark | a.clark@thehastingsacademy.org.uk |
Students who see others being bullied should report this to a member of staff or use our anonymous reporting tool using the link below. Speaking directly to a member of staff can sometimes make a student feel uncomfortable due to worries about potential consequences, but anonymous reporting empowers students to speak up and voice concerns without fear of repercussions.
https://forms.office.com/e/4cMRkW9Qsv
All reports will be taken seriously and investigated. We will work towards finding a resolution and an end to the bullying.
Peer mentor scheme
Our Peer Mentors, from years 9, 10 and 11, have undergone specialised training from Anti-Bullying Quality Mark-UK to equip them with skills in safeguarding, confidentiality and effective communication. This training ensures they can provide safe, respectful support whilst recognising when to refer more serious concerns to a member of staff. They provide guidance and assistance, helping students with every day school concerns and offering a friendly face to whom other students can turn. The programme empowers students to share their experiences and tackle challenges together, from navigating school routines and building friendships to addressing issues such as bullying proactively. By creating an environment of mutual respect and empathy, the programme plays a vital role in promoting positive relationships. It also helps younger students feel more connected and supported whilst Peer Mentors gain valuable skills in leadership, empathy and communication. We are proud of our students’ commitment to looking out for one another and are excited to see the positive impact of this programme on our school community.
Students are encouraged to visit East Hill at break and lunch times. This dedicated space provides a comfortable and welcoming environment where students can connect with a mentor for advice, guidance or simply a friendly chat.
Anti-Bullying Quality Mark UK (ABQM UK)
The Hastings Academy holds the Anti-Bullying Quality Mark (ABQM-UK), a national accreditation that recognises schools demonstrating effectiveness in anti-bullying and the prevention of harassment. Achieving the award is the result of sustained effort from the entire academy community and shows our continued commitment to ensuring The Hastings Academy remains a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for every member of our community.
The Anti-Bullying Quality Mark is a national scheme which endorses how good schools are at preventing bullying. It challenges them to establish effective, sustainable anti-bullying policies and strategies.
The Hastings Academy achieved the ABQM-UK Bronze Award because staff, students and parents demonstrated that effective policies and practices for preventing bullying have been established. Students play a significant role in preventing bullying behaviour in partnership with staff members; they make a significant contribution to the academy’s culture of respect and to it’s carefully planned approach to anti-bullying.
To find out more about the quality mark, please visit their website via the button below
To view our bullying policy, please visit our policies page
