At Sutton-on-Sea Community Primary School, we are committed to providing a safe, caring, and inclusive environment where every pupil feels valued and respected.

We feel that “We believe everyone can achieve” applies not only to learning but to happiness, safety, and wellbeing too.

We take bullying — including bullying related to Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) — extremely seriously.

Our Commitment to Preventing Bullying

We have a zero-tolerance approach to bullying in any form.

Our school community promotes kindness, respect, and inclusion through clear expectations, a nurturing ethos, and consistent support for all pupils.

We:

• Teach all children about respect, empathy, and diversity through our PSHE and RSHE curriculum.
• Celebrate differences and promote inclusion in assemblies, class work, and school values.
• Ensure that pupils with SEND are supported to form positive relationships and feel confident to speak up if something goes wrong.
• Encourage pupils to help others and report unkind behaviour.

Preventative Measures

To stop bullying before it starts, we:

• Create a positive and inclusive culture where difference is celebrated.
• Use circle time, class charters, and restorative approaches to promote respect and teamwork.
• Provide staff training on recognising and supporting pupils who may be vulnerable to bullying.
• Offer buddy systems and peer mentoring, ensuring pupils with SEND have friends and advocates.
• Supervise key areas (playgrounds, corridors, lunch halls) carefully to ensure all children feel safe.
• Include anti-bullying week, Internet Safety Day, and Wellbeing Weeks in our annual calendar.

Responding to Bullying

If bullying occurs, it is dealt with quickly, fairly, and effectively.

We follow a clear process:

1. All incidents are taken seriously and investigated promptly.
2. Pupils involved are supported — both the victim and the pupil responsible.
3. Parents and carers are informed and involved in resolving the situation.
4. Restorative conversations are held to rebuild relationships and understanding.
5. Support is monitored to ensure that the bullying does not happen again.

For pupils with SEND, additional care is taken to ensure they understand what has happened, feel listened to, and have ongoing pastoral support from trusted staff.

Support for Pupils with SEND

Pupils with SEND may be more vulnerable to bullying or social exclusion.

We provide tailored support, including:

• Regular check-ins with the SENDCO or pastoral staff.
• ELSA sessions (Emotional Literacy Support) for confidence, friendship, or resilience.
• Safe spaces (such as a nurture room or calm area) during break and lunchtimes.
• Small group work on social skills, emotional regulation, or understanding relationships.

All staff understand the importance of promoting inclusion and protecting pupils with SEND from discrimination or harassment.

Working Together

Preventing bullying is a whole-school responsibility.

We work closely with:

• Parents and carers, to share concerns and develop consistent strategies.
• Pupils, through school councils and pupil voice sessions.
• External agencies (such as the Lincolnshire Specialist Teaching Team and Educational Psychology Service) when additional advice or support is needed.

Linked Policies

Our approach to preventing and responding to bullying is supported by the following policies:

• Anti-Bullying Policy
• Behaviour Policy
• Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
• Equality Policy
• SEND Policy

All these policies are available on our school website or upon request from the school office.