In each of the UK nations are having its own anti-bullying legislations, policies and guidance. The European Convention on Human rights must also comply with the policies.

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), 1950 is an international treaty that gives a set of rights to both children and adults. It was legislated in UK as the Human Rights Act in the year 1998. It protects all the individuals from the actions of public bodies such as governments, local authorities and schools.

But when an individual thinks that their rights have been breached by any public body, they can take the case to the court.

The following are the rights in the convention include:

•  The right to life
•  Right to keep them safe from torture and cruel for treatment
•  Freedom from any slavery
•  Having the right to a fair trail
•  Right to respect for family life and private
• Right to an education

Keeping Children Safe in Education

Under the statutory guidance for schools and colleges, this was published in April 2014, and updated in March 2015, by the Department for Education (DfE).

This sets out what the schools and colleges in England should do and the legal duties that they must comply with to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (Department of Education, 2015).

Advice for head teacher, staff and governing bodies, march 2014 by the Department of Education, this gives a guidance to school staff on preventing and responding to prevent bullying as part of their behaviour policy covering:

• The government’s approach to bullying
• The legal obligations and powers schools have to tackle bullying
• Principles that underpinning the most effective anti-bullying strategies in the schools.

The Education Act 2002

This act places a duty on the school governing bodies in England and Wales in promoting the safety and wellbeing of children and young adult in the school. All the state schools must have a behaviour policy in place which includes all the measures in preventing all such forms of bullying among children. This policy is decided by the school and the staff, parents and children must be made aware of it.

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001

This prohibits schools in England, Wales and Scotland from discrimination against any disabled child through admissions, exclusions or education services.

The Race Relations Act 2000

This act requires the schools in England, Scotland and Wales to draw up race equality policies and ensure that policies should not discriminate against racial groups.

In my school setting, creation of a safe school is dependents upon the development and implementation of a clear policies and procedures, drafted, refined and reviewed in collaboration with teachers, parents, carers and students.

The following are the policies and procedures which carries important pieces of information as they can govern on the daily occurrence that happens within the school.

• These are valuable as it offers certain guidelines and are a set of expectations that all constituents within the school are held answerable and responsible for running of the administration and school.
• These policies come into play every single day in the school.
• By shared understanding and ownership of all these policies and procedures helps us to support children’s safety and wellbeing.

Anti-bullying Policy at St. Stephen’s School

In our school setting, the anti-bullying policy takes its place together with the School Behaviour Policy. My school follow anti-discrimination law, which means staff must act to prevent discrimination, harassment and victimisation within the school. Gov.UK

The main categories of bullying are:

• Physical (e.g. hitting, kicking or any use of physical violence; theft)
• Verbal (e.g. name-calling, teasing, racist taunts)
• Emotional (e.g. spreading rumours, excluding someone from social groups, tormenting)
• Cyber (e.g. via text, MSN, social networking sites)*

These signs and behaviours may indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and therefore the cause of the above investigated.

• If bullying does occur, all pupils will be able to report it and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively.
• Children have a responsibility as well as staff to help eradicate bullying and therefore anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell a member of staff.
• By all staff having high and consistent expectations and following the School Behaviour Policy
• By implementing a whole school rewards and sanctions system
• By encouraging the highest standards in collective and self-discipline
• By providing purposeful learning opportunities
• The following are the policies and procedures that I should follow if bullying occurs.
• I should deal immediately with any of the incidents of bullying
• By informing the class teacher
• By recording or reporting to the member of the Senior Management Team according to the school policy.
• I should have high and consistent expectations and follow the School Behaviour Policy
• By implementing a whole school rewards and sanctions system
• By encouraging the highest standards in collective and self-discipline
• By providing purposeful learning opportunities
• By training staff is also an important aspect of our work to prevent and tackle bullying, including the different types of bullying. At St. Stephen School, staffs have had relevant training and understand the importance of this policy.
• If a member of staff suspects that bullying is taking place, or a disclosure is made to them about an incident of bullying, I should always consult a member of the pastoral team. Under their guidance, an age appropriate investigation should take place.
• Parents are asked to keep the school and staffs informed of any concerns, and encourage their child to report any incidents immediately to an appropriate staff member.