West Buckland Primary School & Nursery believes that all pupils are entitled to learn in a safe and supportive environment in line with our school vision and values; this means being free from all forms of bullying behaviour including cyberbullying.

Preventing and Responding to Bullying Tool 

At our school, we believe that every child has the right to feel safe, respected, and included. Although we cannot completely guarantee that bullying will never occur, we are strongly committed to taking proactive steps to prevent it and to respond effectively when it does happen. 

To support this commitment, we use a reflective tool, Preventing and Responding to Bullying, to regularly evaluate and improve our approach. This annual review process helps us measure our effectiveness, stay focused on our goals, and continue strengthening how we prevent and respond to bullying across our school community. 

Our aims are divided into three main categories, each reflecting a key focus area and guiding our work in preventing and responding to bullying.  

Supporting Children in Pro-Actively resolving peer-peer conflict 

• Empower our children to develop a strong, confident voice, enabling them to advocate for themselves and handle situations calmy with understanding and confidence  

• Inspire our children to confidently stand up for others when they sense something is wrong and to intervene thoughtfully and effectively    

• Establish a clear understanding for the responsible party to understand the expected response when a child asks them to stop etc    

• All staff respond consistently when a child seeks assistance with conflict resolution    

Protocol for addressing a report of bullying 

• All staff have a clear understanding of what constitutes bullying and are equipped with the knowledge and tools to effectively identify when it is bullying.   

• Ensure that after all ‘reports of bullying’ a clear, effective and consistent response is followed, clearly documented and ‘closed off’.    

• Ensure that all children and staff are fully aware of and can reference the distinct roles induvial may play in a bullying incident    

• Staff engage with all children involved in a bullying incident to help them recognise and understand the impact of their role and help them reflect to inspire positive behaviours in the future 

Our Preventing bullying begins with creating a strong, positive school culture where every student feels valued, included, and safe. Our proactive approach includes: 

• Celebrating Community and Diversity: We actively promote kindness, inclusion, and respect by celebrating the diverse backgrounds and strengths of all students. 

• Fostering Empathy and Cooperation: We help children develop social and emotional skills by encouraging problem-solving, respectful communication, and collaboration. 

• Teaching and Modelling Expectations: Through regular lessons, discussions, and staff modelling, we teach students what respectful behaviour looks like and reinforce shared values across the school. 

• Involving the Whole Community: We work with students, staff, and families to create a shared understanding of how we prevent bullying and support positive relationships. 

• Ongoing Review: We review our prevention strategies and bullying response tools annually to ensure we are being effective, inclusive, and aligned with best practices. 

However, when bullying does occur, our response is guided by a clear and consistent protocol designed to ensure an effective resolution, with a strong focus on open communication with all parties and the wellbeing of everyone involved. 

• Immediate and Consistent Action: Every reported incident is taken seriously and responded to promptly using a consistent school-wide approach. 

• Clear Communication: Children involved in incidents—and their families—are informed about the steps being taken and the support available. 

• Follow-Up and Support: We follow up on all incidents to ensure that the bullying has stopped and that all students feel safe and supported. 

• Accountability and Education: While we hold students accountable for their actions, we also provide opportunities to learn from mistakes and rebuild relationships. 

• Transparency with the Community: It’s important that our wider school community understands our processes so they can feel confident that we are addressing bullying appropriately.