College Policies

Student Bullying and Harassment Policy

This policy is part of BSFC Equal Opportunities Policy.

Aims

  • To identify clearly that bullying and harassment are always unacceptable.
  • To ensure that every student has the right to safety, happiness, protection and respect.
  • To encourage students to approach staff confidentially to raise concerns without fear of reprisal.

Policy Statement

Bullying is unacceptable. Students have the right to learn without intimidation or other forms of bullying.  Students who bully others will be subject to disciplinary action.  This could include an official warning or being asked to leave college.

Student Rights

Every student should:

  • feel safe in college and/or with college students, both in and out of college.
  • have the right to support if their safety or well-being is threatened.
  • not be victimised or discriminated against because of gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, colour, age, religion, social status or for any other reason.
  • not be verbally or physically abused or attacked, or excluded from any group activity.
  • feel able to inform staff about any bullying incident, and get a prompt and helpful response from college.

Sources of help

Students may approach any of the following:

  • Their group tutor.
  • Any of their subject tutors.
  • The Senior Tutor for their student year, or the Director of Students.
  • The Connexions Personal Advisor.
  • A member of the Chaplaincy Team.
  • The College Counsellor(s).
  • A member of the Student Union Executive.

What will happen (see also the Complaints Procedure in the Student Diary)

  1. The member of staff/other person should satisfy themselves that there is an issue to be addressed.
  2. Issues of confidentiality should be debated, since this can never be guaranteed.
  3. Students will be encouraged to discuss a range of strategies to change the behaviour, and/or their perception of it.  (e.g. staff act as intermediary, bully and victim avoiding each other, face/face meeting, disciplinary action … could all be considered).
  4. The Complaints Procedure could be invoked.
  5. If bullying/harassment is proved the perpetrator will be subject to disciplinary action: this could include e.g. an interview with Senior Tutor or the Principal; a warning; exclusion (fixed-term/permanent), … Parents will be informed as a matter of course if any of the above are imposed.

Bullying: some examples

  • Name calling
  • Making threats
  • Rude gestures
  • Teasing
  • Socially excluding people.
  • Spreading nasty stories including those spread through e-mail, text messages or through chat rooms.
  • Racial, religious or sexual harassment.
  • Taking belongings.
  • Hitting or kicking.
  • Unpleasant or threatening letters, e-mails or text messages.  This is known as cyberbullying and there are a number of useful websites e.g. www.cyberbullying.ca (Canadian) or www.safety.ngfl.gov.uk/schools/document.php3?D=d65 (UK)
  • Physical intimidation.

This list is not exhaustive.