promotes understanding and mutual respect. Within our PSHE curriculum, we encourage healthy debate and discussions and allows the pupils to voice their opinions. All types of bullying are discussed as part of the curriculum, and diversity, difference and respect for others is promoted and celebrated through various lessons. Potential victims of bullying are drawn into working groups with children who do not abuse or take advantage of them. Opportunities to extend friendship groups and interactive skills are provided through participation in special events, for example, drama productions, sporting activities and cultural groups. Where potential for bullying is identified the changing and organising seating arrangements in lesson helps to prevent instances of bullying. A safe, supervised place is available for pupils to go to at lunch if they are involved in conflict with their other children.

SEND/Ableist Bullying: Pupils who are on the SEND register are more prone to bullying than their other children but this does not mean that all pupils with SEND will be bullied. At Portfields Primary School, we continually monitor our SEND pupils through a number of ways: through their daily contact with their teacher, their head of year, and the SEND team and through the regular feedback that is sought from pupils and parents about their experience at our school. When a pupil is identified as socially vulnerable because of their SEND, we take every precaution to prevent such incidents occurring. These strategies are listed above but with the addition of specific ‘condition-awareness’ sessions for pupils that allow these pupils to express in their own words the impact that that their SEND has upon them and generate some empathy from their other children. In addition to this we recognise that it might be more difficult for some pupils with SEND to express their concerns about bullying and so with the enrolment of each new pupil we spend additional time ensuring that they understand the policy, their rights and ensuring that they feel comfortable with the mechanisms for reporting a concern should one arise for themselves or another child. Note due to the individual nature of SEND pupils these strategies are continually evolving in line with their individual needs and where necessary additional prevention strategies will be put in place.

Procedures for dealing with disclosures of concerns about bullying:

Minor incidents are reported to the pupil’s teacher who investigates the incident, sets appropriate sanctions for the perpetrator, and informs the Phase Leader of the incident and outcome.

When investigating a bullying incident, the following procedures are adopted: (If a pupil is injured, members of staff take the pupil immediately to the school nurse/first aider for a medical opinion on the extent of their injuries and proceed as advised)

- ● an incident will be recorded on EduKey to ensure that the DSL is aware and can monitor that the process is followed in line with the policy
- ● statements will be sought from both the alleged victim and the alleged perpetrator and the school will do everything possible within the new context to establish the most truthful version of events.
- ● members of staff seek to reduce the possibility of contact between the pupils interviewed
- ● a room or safe quiet place is used that allows for privacy during interviews
- ● a witness’ viewpoint is sought when appropriate

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