"St Thomas More Catholic School is a God Centred family of children, staff, parents and governors based in a wider community.

We aim for spiritual and academic excellence for all pupils, whom we regard as special and unique children of God."

St. Thomas MoreR.C. Primary Schoolis a Telling School
We all have the rightto be safe, and at St. Thomas MoreR.C. Primary Schoolwe understand that we all have a responsibility to take care of one another. In order to keep everyone safe, our pupils know that telling somebody else about inappropriate behaviour is the most sensible thing to do; if we know that someone is being teased or bullied, it is our duty to help this stop. Telling will help everybody involved, including the person misbehaving, who can be guided into changing their behaviour.

If a child is being bullied they must feel confident enough to act in order to end the bullying, using the systems in place in school. We aim to build an anti-bullying climate in school, therefore increasing understanding for the victims of bullying.

It is also our aim to challenge ideas and attitudes about bullying behaviour, helping pupils to understand that not all aggressive behaviour is necessarily bullying. Sometimes children – especially the very young – may
display behaviour which appears to be bullying, without the intention or realisation that it causes others distress. However, even in such circumstances, if a pupilperceives they are being bullied it should be taken seriously.

Requirements

Durham County Council and organisations working on its behalf with children and young people should
recognise and state categoricallythat bullying is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
All organisations working on behalf ofDurham County Councilwith children and young people are required to:
∙ reflect the Statement of Principle in their own Anti-Bullying Policy
∙ identify how they will put this policy into practice
∙ involve children and young people in the development of this policy and practice
∙ produce a document which is published, communicated, and available for all those who are directly
or indirectly involved with the organisation
∙ have a named member, or group, of staff who will have the responsibility for co-ordinating the
development of the policy
∙ make clear that everyone has a responsibility for the safety of others
∙ identify and provide appropriate training in relation to bullying behaviour for adults, children and
young people
∙ raise awareness of bullying among adults, children and young people
∙ ensure that all staff and volunteers involved with children and young people are able to maintain
and develop positive relationships with them
∙ provide and encourage a safe, listening environment in which adults, children and young people feel
free to discuss their concerns regarding bullying behaviour