Bullying normally looks like hurtful behaviour which is repeated, often over a period of time. It is normally difficult for the person who is being bullied to defend themselves against it.

It usually takes one of four forms:

• Physical – Hitting, fighting, taking belongings.
• Verbal – Name calling, insulting remarks.
• Indirect – Spreading rumours, not letting someone join a social group.
• Cyber-Bullying – Sending mean texts, posting nasty comments about someone on social media.

A hate incident is legally defined as:
“Any non-crime incident which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice” (National Policing Hate Crime Strategy)

Hate incidents will be based upon the following recognised hate strands:

• Ethnicity/Race
• Religion/Faith/Belief
• Sexual orientation
• Disability/SEN
• Gender identity

Hate incidents can consist of verbal abuse, insults, detrimental comments, abusive language, gestures, comments on social networking and “jokes” or “banter” focused upon the protected characteristics.

A hate crime is legally defined as:
“Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice” (ACPO 2005 definition)

A hate crime should be reported directly to the police.

As a member of the trust establishments, you have the right:

• To live your life in peace and safety
• To be an individual and be proud of being different
• Not to be bullied
• To say ‘no’ firmly to any behaviour you think is wrong
• To protect yourself by ignoring others or by walking away
• To tell a member of staff if someone is making you unhappy

All TGAT establishments expect you:

• Not to put up with any form of bullying
• To work with others to stop bullying
• To inform a member of staff of any form of bullying
• Not to be afraid of reporting incidents. If you do nothing, it might suggest that you are supporting the bullying
• Not to put up with bullies in your group of friends
• Not to make up stories about bullying

When bullying has been dealt with, it is important that there are no further problems. The bully will be monitored to make sure no further bullying happens. The victim will be able to alert a member of staff about any further problems.

• All incidents of bullying are treated seriously by staff.
• Written statements are taken from every child involved.
• Every child involved is reminded that the school takes bullying very seriously.
• The victim is given support through a key worker or counsellor.
• Every effort will be made to resolve the situation immediately.
• Follow up procedures will make sure that the bullying has not carried on.
• One member of staff will judge how serious the incident is, and will inform different members of staff and follow procedures accordingly.
• Sanctions are clear, consistent and appropriate to how serious the bullying is.
• Permanent exclusion may be justified in the most serious cases.
• If a fight happens, we will find out whether this has been the result of bullying. If a child has been provoked, this will be taken into account when dealing with the situation.

• Tell a member of staff or another adult at the trust establishments
• Tell a parent/carer, friend or family member who can contact the trust establishments
• If you are scared to tell an adult or staff member by yourself ask a friend to come with you
• Keep speaking up until someone listens and does something to stop the bullying
• Don’t blame yourself for what has happened
• If bullying or hate incidents reoccur keep reporting them

• What has happened to you
• How often it has happened
• Who was involved
• Who saw what was happening
• Where it happened
• What you have done about it already