Anti-Bullying at WKS

"The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or online." ANTI-BULLYING ALLIANCE, Definition of bullying

Every single member of our school community deserves to feel safe and valued. Many kinds of behaviour can be considered bullying and can be related to almost anything. 

Teasing another pupil because of their appearance, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, home life, culture, disability, or SEND are some of the types of bullying that can occur. Bullying is acted out through the following ways

• Verbally 
• Physically
• Emotionally 
• Online (Cyber)

Bullying has no place at West Kirby School & College. Bullying behaviour will be challenged and supportive measures will be taken to help all of the students involved.

• Annual Anti-Bullying week in November.
• Our Anti-Bullying Pupil Ambassador programme and Pupil Voice. Together they lead on anti-bullying activities throughout the year.
• Events held throughout the year include assemblies and as part of Pupil Voice.
• The pupil voice has supported PCT and the Deputy Head (Behaviour and Attitudes) in reviewing and updating the Child on Child Abuse Policy September 2023. It includes signs of abuse discussed and added by pupils.
• Our school is currently working towards the ‘Anti Bullying Kitemark Award’. This was initiated and led by Pastoral Care team and an Anti-Bullying working party meets half termly to support the development of this. The aim is to complete the Bronze award during 23/24.
• Rainbow Flag Award - Our PCT department achieved the Rainbow Flag Award in October 2023. This award demonstrates the school’s commitment to LGBT+. The award now in place a LGBT+ Pupil Ambassador. The evaluation in the award reported that, ‘It is clear that Student-led initiatives are valued and supported at West Kirby School and College to create an LGBT+ inclusive and positive environment. Students across different areas of school life are encouraged and supported to be actively creating LGBT+ positive environments and celebrating LGBT+ lives and significant dates on the LGBT+ calendar.’

• Pupils are debriefed for anti-bullying related incidents. PCT staff debrief both victim and alleged bully, supporting them in avoiding a repeat of the incident.
• We then work on strategies to support both pupils and staff.
• They liaise with parents/carers. This progress of the intervention is logged.
• A number of case studies show evidence of success rates of the interventions, not only in relation to anti-bullying, but within many other intervention strategies developed as part of the whole school referral, analysis and intervention programme. The incidences of repeat bullying are very low, as is the overall incidence of bullying itself. The key factor to maintaining this low level is the change of behaviours and attitudes of both victim and perpetrator following a reported incident.