St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School believes that all children and young people and staff in schools and colleges have a right to learn and work in a safe and secure environment that is free from intimidation, harassment, abuse and fear and where they feel valued and respected. 

What is Discrimination and Harassment

 Discrimination and harassment can be targeted against a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s:

• disability
• race or ethnicity
• religion or belief
• sexual orientation
• gender identity

Being a victim of discrimination and harassment can leave a person fearful, isolated and vulnerable and can severely undermine their sense of safety in their school/college and/or community. It impacts greatly on self-confidence and self-worth and can lead to depression, anxiety and, in extreme cases, suicide. 

Tackling Discrimination and Harassment

St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School contributes to tackling discrimination and harassment by ensuring that:

• the school promotes a climate of respect; 
• every student, staff member and parent/carer within the school/college community feels valued and secure; 
• the curriculum reflects and represents accurately the diverse nature of the UK and the world and addresses issues of diversity in ways that counter prejudiced assumptions; 
• false assumptions and stereotypes are challenged with sound factual information; 
• they are vigilant for any signs of name-calling, abuse or bullying involving any member of the school 
• all incidents of name-calling, abuse and bullying are reported, recorded and dealt with promptly and sensitively; 
• all staff are given appropriate training and support to enable them to tackle discrimination, bullying and harassment and promote equality of opportunity. 

What is Bullying?

Bullying is when individuals or groups seek to harm, intimidate or coerce someone who is perceived to be vulnerable. It can involve people of any age, and can happen anywhere – at home, school or using online platforms and technologies (cyberbullying). This means it can happen at any time. Bullying encompasses a range of behaviours which may be combined and may include the behaviours and actions we have set out below. 
 
Verbal abuse: 

• name-calling 
• saying nasty things to or about a child or their family

Physical abuse: 

• hitting a child 
• pushing a child 
• physical assault

Emotional abuse: 

• making threats 
• undermining a child 
• excluding a child from a friendship group or activities

Cyberbullying/online bullying: 

• excluding a child from online games, activities or friendship groups 
• sending threatening, upsetting or abusive messages 
• creating and sharing embarrassing or malicious images or videos 
• 'trolling' - sending menacing or upsetting messages on social networks, chat rooms or online games 
• voting for or against someone in an abusive poll 
• setting up hate sites or groups about a particular child 
• creating fake accounts, hijacking or stealing online identities to embarrass a young person or cause trouble using their name 

Bullying can be a form of discrimination, particularly if it is based on a child’s disability, race, religion or belief, gender identity or sexuality.  

Our Anti-Bullying Policy is available on our Policies page.