The Sixth Form Bolton is committed (as defined in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy) to ensuring that all its members are treated with dignity and respect, irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origins, sex or marital status, disability, sexual orientation, age or status. It is also committed to the elimination of all forms of bullying/harassment in College, and the creation of an inclusive, safe and secure working and learning environments for all its members.
The aim of this policy is to prevent any form of bullying/harassment within the College. All members of the College community, including staff, students, governors and associates have a responsibility for achieving this.
Where it does occur, the policy aims to take appropriate and effective action to prevent any recurrence.
The specific policy objectives are:
To ensure all students at the College are aware of the types of behaviour which constitute bullying/harassment, and of their responsibilities to prevent and report any such incidents.
To ensure all students at the College understand that bullying/harassment will not be tolerated and that appropriate measures will be taken.
To promote a climate within the College which does not support bullying/harassment, and where everyone feels confident in bringing forward complaints of bullying/harassment without fear of victimisation and recrimination.
To ensure that all allegations of bullying/harassment are responded to quickly, positively and in complete confidence.
The College recognises that any person who has suffered bullying/harassment might be able to seek remedies through criminal or civil law. There are many legal frameworks for consideration when a breach has occurred. These include:
Race Relations Act 1976 (as amended by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2003).
Disability Amendment Act (DDA) 2005.
Sex Discrimination Act 1975.
Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Crime and Disorder Act 1994.
Human Rights Act 1998
Equality Act 2010
Bullying is deliberate, persistent and often occurs when there are no witnesses. It involves the intentional belittling of someone through the misuse of power or position that leaves the victim feeling hurt, upset, vulnerable and helpless. Examples of bullying behaviour include:
Abuse of power or use of sanctions
Intimidation
Malicious or insulting behaviour
Excluding or ignoring others
Deliberate isolation or non-cooperation in College activities
Embarrassing or insensitive comments
Abusive communication – for example emails, text messages, social media, by an individual or group
Excessive supervision.
Bullying is a wilful, conscious desire to hurt, threaten or frighten someone. It may be targeted at one person, or may be widespread, usually because of the ‘bullying style’ of one person. Examples of bullying might include:
Verbal - such as name-calling, teasing, ‘secret whispering’ or malicious comments.
Physical - such as any form of hitting, punching, pushing or other form of physical activity.
Fear - such as any action planned to frighten or threaten someone.
Cyber - all areas of internet, such as email, social media and internet chat room misuse. Mobile threats by text messaging and calls. Misuse of associated technology, i.e. camera and video recording facilities.
Racist - racial taunts, graffiti, gestures.
Religious - unwanted behaviour based on religious beliefs, practices or customs.
Gender - unwanted harassment because of gender expression; masculinity or femininity.
Homophobic/transgender - based on those known or presumed to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
Disability - unwanted behaviour based on disability, impairment or additional need. Also includes individuals with progressive conditions such as HIV or individuals with a disfigurement.
Sexual - unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments including sexual slurs, belittling, suggestive, lewd or abusive remarks, explicit ‘jokes’ or compromising invitations.
Socio-economic background - based on individuals living in poverty, in care, homeless, from affluent backgrounds or having a criminal record/involvement in criminal proceedings.
Disadvantaged learners – unwanted attention and behaviours based on the factors that a student is identified as in a disadvantaged group within the College
It is important to understand that bullying is not the odd occasion of falling out with friends, name-calling, arguments or when the occasional trick or joke is played on someone. People sometimes fall out or say things because they are upset. When occasional problems of this kind arise, it is not classed as bullying. It is bullying if the unwanted behaviour is repeated with the intention to cause harm.
Harassment, in general terms, can be characterised as unwanted conduct affecting the dignity of the individual. It may be related to:
Age
Disability or impairment
Race, ethnic origin or skin colour
Religion
Sexual orientation
Political, trade union or other opinion
Disadvantage
Harassment is a behaviour that might be persistent or an isolated incident. The key is that the actions or comments are viewed as demeaning and unacceptable to the recipient. Examples of harassment include:
Unwelcome remarks, such as jokes, ‘banter’, innuendo, teasing and verbal abuse of terms of endearment which are uninvited and found to be offensive
Suggestive remarks about appearance or dress
Embarrassing or insensitive comments
Unwanted physical contact, pestering, propositioning, spying etc.
The display, storage or circulation of offensive material or graffiti.
Cyberbullying is defined as the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), particularly mobile phones and the internet to cause harm or upset to someone else. It can be an extension of face-to-face bullying, but it differs from other forms of bullying in significant ways:
It can be 24/7 - invading the home and personal space. It may be perceived as anonymous; the actual identity of the perpetrator can be hidden.
Participants can be unconscious perpetrators without understanding the consequences.
The circulation of electronic messages is difficult to control.
The size of the potential audience can be huge.
Exemplar types of cyberbullying:
By mobile phone, email, comments on websites, social networking sites or message boards.
Serious threats - can be sent to both staff and pupils.
Repeated, prolonged, unwanted texting; online stalking, constant monitoring online activity.
Posting upsetting or defamatory remarks online or by text.
Sending menacing or upsetting responses to people when they are in a web-based chat room.
Harassment and victimisation conducted via social networking sites – often used to post photographs or offensive / threatening comments about an individual or group.
Sending messages by mobile phone or email of sexist, homophobic racist nature, or attacking a physical or mental disability, cultural/religious background, appearance or socio-economic position.
Accessing someone else’s account by finding out or guessing their username and password, unauthorised access to email accounts; sending Instant Messages or emails, using someone else’s mobile phone.
Accessing, copying someone’s information, e.g. emails or pictures, to harass or humiliate, by posting them on public sites, emailing or forwarding them or printing and circulating copies.
Deleting someone’s information for example electronically submitted or stored documents or important emails.
Impersonating someone pretending to be the person whose account has been hacked, to post abusive comments and bad language.
Please be reminded that the College uses monitoring services: Esafe and Smoothwall. The monitoring services will report to the College on issues of cyberbullying. Issues around bullying and cyberbullying fall under the College’s Positive Behaviours and Sanctions Policy for students and staff.
Victimisation occurs when an individual is treated less favourably because that person has complained about the behaviour of someone who has been harassing/bullying them.
Bullying/harassment can make the recipient feel upset, threatened, humiliated and vulnerable. The effect on a person can include loss of self-esteem, defensiveness, hopelessness, illness, isolation, increased use of drugs or alcohol, strong negative feelings and stress. The result may be the formation of cliques, an atmosphere of fear that becomes the norm, increased absenteeism, and the creation of a culture in which bullying and harassing behaviour becomes accepted and increases.
The Sixth Form Bolton’s core values play a key role in creating an inclusive, respectful environment in which bullying is not tolerated. To create this culture, we expect all members of College to:
a) Treat everyone with respect, courtesy and fairness.
b) Recognise and respect the rights and beliefs of others.
c) Recognise and acknowledge other students’ differences and varying needs.
d) Be tolerant of people’s views and act without prejudice.
e) Choose not to engage in, or accept bullying, intimidation or harassment.
f) Behave with integrity and challenge prejudice, discrimination and harassment wherever it occurs.
g) Report any prejudice, discrimination or harassment.
All students, staff, volunteers and governors need to be aware of this policy and the college’s approach to bullying and harassment. The Sixth Form Bolton will endeavour to address this through:
a) Appropriate information and regular training for staff, volunteers and governors.
b) Information for students in the tutorial programme, on Student Space and induction information.
c) Messages in the weekly bulletins and newsletters.
d) Events to raise awareness of issues related to bullying and anti-bullying.
Allegations of bullying should be reported to any member of staff. (see Appendix 1 & 2)
All allegations of bullying or harassment will be taken seriously and investigated. When a student or parent/carer reports an allegation of bullying to a member of staff, the member of staff will deal with the matter as quickly as possible by:
a) Staying calm and reassuring the student/parent/carer that the matter will be dealt with as quickly and sensitively as possible.
b) Listening to the student/parent/carer to find out exactly what has happened.
c) Keeping notes of this conversation, recording when (dates/times), where (places) and who (names of the bully/bullies) - students/parents/carers are not always keen to give this information as they are concerned about the repercussions if the bully/bullies find out. However, we cannot deal with specific cases of bullying if we do not have this information.
d) Referring the case on to a Senior Leader for further investigation when there is evidence that bullying has taken place.
Where bullying outside College involving College members is reported to staff, it will be investigated and acted on. Disciplinary action may be taken if the bullying impacts on the learning of members of the College. If the behaviour could be criminal or poses a serious threat to a member of the public, then the police will be informed.
a) Members of the Safeguarding Team/Progress Coaches will investigate all bullying allegations.
The aims of the investigation and any interventions will be:
To make sure the alleged victim is safe.
To stop the bullying.
To make it clear that bullying is unacceptable.
To support the victim and to challenge the bully’s behaviour.
b) The Assistant Principal for Pastoral will act immediately to prevent, as far as reasonably possible, any harm or further harm occurring.
c) If any allegation appears to involve illegal activity, then the incident will be reported to the Police.
d) The alleged perpetrator and victim will be interviewed and statements taken.
e) Parents of all parties involved may be informed of the allegation.
f) Following any investigation, the College will review what has happened and decide on the most appropriate and proportionate course of action. Sanctions may be put in place and external agencies may be involved depending on the seriousness of the incident.
g) Serious or persistent incidents of bullying will be dealt with through normal behaviour / disciplinary procedures.
During the investigation and subsequent interventions, it is important to:
a) Avoid humiliating the victim by taking actions which may make them seem weaker or powerless.
b) Help the victim become more resilient, for example by building up their self-confidence,
emphasising their strengths and helping them to develop protective friendships.
c) Offer the support of their Progress Coach, BSafe team, College Counsellor or a Mentor as a source of further help.
d) Offer a safe place during Directed Study Times or breaks.
e) Work together with partner organisations to ensure that victims of bullying have easy access to wider support services, as required (Appendix 3).
f) Keep the victim informed of all developments during the investigation.
g) Follow up, discreetly, with the victim to make certain the bullying has stopped, and that they feel safe.
The aim will be to help the alleged bully understand their behaviour and its effects on others. The overall goal is to ensure the bullying stops and the bully’s behaviour changes. Informal warnings, mediation and formal disciplinary action will be used as appropriate. The alleged bully may also be offered the support of the Counsellor or a Mentor as a source of further help.
a) The details of all allegations, interventions and sanctions will be recorded by the investigating officer.
b) Completed reports will be stored securely by the BSafe team on Cpoms or by The Sixth Form Bolton’s HR team.
a) The Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body will receive a report annually, as part of the Safeguarding Report, including a summary of bullying
b) Racist or homophobic bullying incidents will be reported officially to the Local Authority.
c) The policy will be reviewed annually.
BULLYING AND HARASSMENT REPORT FORM
(Use additional sheets if necessary)
The Sixth Form, Bolton does not tolerate bullying or harassment and is committed to making and keeping the College a safe, secure place that is free from all bullying or harassment for all students. Where bullying or harassment does occur, the College will let students know about the steps they should take and supports students in reporting bullying and harassment.
Bullying is defined as “Any behaviour that is unwanted, unwelcome, inappropriate, and unacceptable to the person receiving it, causing them unease, stress, distress and a possible loss of self-esteem”.
Harassment is defined as “unwanted behaviour or conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. It may be related to age, sex, race, disability, religion, sexuality or any personal characteristic.
If you are being bullied or harassed, you should: Talk to your Progress Coach, a member of Learning Services, The BSafe team or another member of staff that you trust.
1. Take your concerns seriously and listen to what you have to say
2. Talk to you about potential actions we may take, this can be either:
Formally report the bullying or harassment by completing a bullying report form. This means that we will investigate the bullying using the College disciplinary procedures. You will be kept up to date of any action taken.
Not take any further action at the moment. You can choose to formally report the bullying at a later date or if it happens again then we will investigate.
Internal – If you are worried or experience any form of bullying or harassment the following are available at College to help you:
BSafe team – Ground Floor
The Cocoon – S24
Stop Alert Red Button on your student portal
Progress Coach
Student Counselling – counselling@bolton-sfc.ac.uk
Learner Voice Representatives
Teachers/Head of Department
External – If you are worried or experience any form of bullying or harassment the following are available to talk to outside of the College:
Childline (Free phone 24 hour helpline): Tel: 0800 1111
Samaritans: Tel: 08457 90 90 90 Email: jo@samaritans.org
Provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.
Stonewall: Tel: 08000 50 20 20 Stonewall run a free information service for individuals, organisations, and employers. They can provide information and referrals for topics such as: Civil partnerships, employment, hate crime, parenting, discrimination and much more.
Victim Support: Tel: 0845 30 30 900 www.victimsupport.org.uk Free and confidential help to victims of crime, their family, friends and anyone else affected.
CEOP: https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/
Kooth: Kooth PLC is a digital mental health and wellbeing company working to provide a welcoming space for digital mental health care, available to all. https://www.kooth.com/
Name of Policy | Bullying and Harassment Policy – Students |
Date Reviewed | Summer 2026 |
Next Review | Summer 2027 |
JCC Consultation / Approval | Not required |
Governing Corporation Approval | Not Required |
Cross Reference to other Policies / Source Documents | Student Handbook Parents Handbook Student Contracts Policy Positive Behaviours and Sanctions Policy
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