Promote, Grow and Develop

The Abbeyfield Learner – Respect, Resilience and Responsibility

How the Abbeyfield Learner (Respect, Resilience and Responsibility) links to Mental Health and Well-Being

The expectation is for our students to not only be successful in their aspirations but to be prepared for the world beyond the school gate and to develop their character so that they are fully equipped for their next stage in life. However, we are aware that this road is rarely straight and fully appreciate that there can be ‘bumps in the road’ or obstacles to overcome on the way.

The Abbeyfield Learner is an integral part of school life at Abbeyfield and one that should have an impact on all students in some shape or form. All students need to be aware that mental health and well-being can also have an impact on all.

How the Abbeyfield Learner (Respect, Resilience and Responsibility) links to Mental Health and Well-Being

The expectation is for our students to not only be successful in their aspirations but to be prepared for the world beyond the school gate and to develop their character so that they are fully equipped for their next stage in life. However, we are aware that this road is rarely straight and fully appreciate that there can be ‘bumps in the road’ or obstacles to overcome on the way.

The Abbeyfield Learner is an integral part of school life at Abbeyfield and one that should have an impact on all students in some shape or form. All students need to be aware that mental health and well-being can also have an impact on all.

Respect – We all need to respect that we don’t know what anyone else around us is dealing with. Are they feeling down? Are things tough for them in school or at home? We also need to be mindful of how our actions can affect them.

Responsibility – We all have a responsibility to look out and look after each other. Our students and staff are encouraged to not walk on by, and to actively support each other. Asking ‘Are you okay?’ can go a long way to making someone feel better and feeling cared for.

Resilience – We will all face difficult situations, both inside and outside of school. We need to build resilience to cope with the smaller problems but we also need to understand that it’s good to talk and by working together, we can keep everyone safe and happy.

Abbeyfield School’s Anti-bullying Charter

Supported by The Diana Award Anti-bullying Ambassador scheme.

Bullying is something which every school has to deal with at times and it is something which is extremely difficult to get rid of completely. Therefore we, as the Anti-bullying Ambassadors, have put together a bullying charter as a student body, with no input from the teachers. We hope that it becomes clear that bullying is unacceptable, unpleasant and is disrespectful.

We hope to end it, prevent it and support those who are victims. We would like our school to be friendly, safe and enjoyable. Not only does it affect the victim but also the school community.

What is bullying? Bullying is behaviour which is upsetting or intimidating to another person. There are four main elements to bullying:

• It involves a power imbalance.

• It is hurtful.

• It is repetitive.

• It is intentional

REMEMBER: Several Times On Purpose

The 3 main groups of bullying are:

• Verbal Bullying – hurtful words, offensive language, swearing, discriminatory language etc.

• Indirect Bullying – isolating someone, rumours, sharing someone’s secrets, cyber-bullying, damaging/taking someone’s property and physical intimidation.

• Physical Bullying – hurting someone intentionally, kicking, punching, pinching, spitting, slapping etc.

Types of bullying:

• Homophobic bullying (dislike of or prejudice against homosexual people.)

• Racist bullying (prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior.)

• Cyber bullying (any form of bullying which takes place online or through social media.)

• Ableist bullying (discrimination in favour of able-bodied people.)

• Religious Discrimination (treating a person or group differently because of the particular beliefs which they hold about a religion.)

• Classist bullying (prejudice against people belonging to a particular social class.)

• Xenophobia (dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.)

Steps to Prevent Bullying at Abbeyfield:

• Anti-bullying Ambassadors aim to raise awareness amongst students, teachers and parents. This includes:

• Assemblies

• Bulletin entries

• Fundraising events

• Feel Good Fridays.

• Anti-bullying notice board for key messages about dealing with bullying.

• All staff knowing the signs of bullying, and where to direct students for support.

Where can you access support if you’re being bullied?

Talk to someone you trust: this could be at home or at school, it could be an adult or a peer (such as an Anti-Bullying Ambassador)