Equalities & Additional Intervention

Bullying and Harassment Procedure

Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at Winstanley College. In our College, we are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our students so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Being bullied can happen at any age and is a terrible experience. No one at College would like to feel that anyone was suffering because of bullying or harassment.

The Bullying and Harassment Procedure applies to all students irrespective of whether the bullying or harassment takes place on or off College premises, and is either actual or on line. All members of staff will be conversant with the Bullying and Harassment Procedure and have a responsibility to identify, challenge and report, as appropriate. Under the Equality Act 2010 it is the duty of the college to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation within the College community.

What is bullying?

Although it is difficult to define exactly what people mean by the term, generally speaking bullying is the use of aggression, usually with the intention of hurting another person. This may focus on a person’s perceived ‘difference’ such as sexuality, race or disability. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim even if this is not the sole intention of the harasser. Bullying can be:

• Emotional - being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting.
• Physical - pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence.
• Racist - racial taunts, graffiti, gestures.
• Sexual - unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments.
• Homophobic/Sexist/Gender - because of, or focussing on, the issue of sexuality or gender
• Verbal - name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing.
• Cyber - all areas of internet, such as misuse of email & internet chat room and sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Yik Yak, threats made by text messaging and calls, misuse of associated technology i.e. camera and video facilities.

What can you do and what will be done?

First and foremost it is important to come forward. If you feel humiliated, threatened or even repeatedly patronised or isolated by someone else, then don’t feel you have to put up with it. The sooner you try to resolve the situation, the better – and most situations can, with a little help be resolved. Although it may feel daunting to come forward at first, remember that you can only change the situation if you tell somebody. All incidents that are reported will be dealt with seriously and sensitively, and appropriate action will be taken either formally under the procedure identified in the Student Disciplinary Policy, or informally as detailed below. In all cases where there is a report of an incident, the incident will be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action taken. The Assistant Principal Support for Students will be informed of all incidents and consulted with at each stage of the process.

What we can do

All allegations will be treated seriously and with sensitivity. They will be dealt with as quickly as possible, in any of the following ways:

Mediation - In the majority of cases, bullying and harassment can be dealt with through a process of mediation, as very often the instigator will be unaware of the effect of their actions. In mediation, all parties come together to discuss the situation, the reasons and effects, and try to find an amicable solution.

Disciplinary Action - If mediation is not possible or not appropriate then the College Student Disciplinary Policy procedures will be implemented.

No matter what the outcomes of the investigations and procedure, all those involved will receive appropriate ongoing support.

It is probable that the first person you would talk to is your Personal Tutor, but you can report the incident to any member of staff.

f you would like to report to the Senior Tutor with responsibility in this area you can contact him directly at Mike.Jones@winstanley.ac.uk

If you wish to contact us please complete the form below, or you can always speak to your Personal Tutor.

We will endeavour to get someone to contact you as soon as we can.

Winstanley College is committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our students and staff so they can learn and work in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Being bullied can happen at any age and is a terrible experience. No-one at College would like to feel that anyone was suffering because of bullying or harassment. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our College. If bullying does occur, all students should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. Please read the Student Disciplinary Policy in conjunction with this.

What is bullying?

It is difficult to define exactly what people mean by the term. Bullying is the use of aggression (physical or verbal) usually with the intention of hurting another person. This may focus on a person’s perceived ‘difference’ such as sexuality, race or disability. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim even if this is not the sole intention of the harasser.

Bullying can be:

• Emotional - being unfriendly, excluding and isolating, taunting and teasing.
• Physical - pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence.
• Racist - racial taunts, graffiti, gestures.
• Sexual - unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments.
• Homophobic/Transphobic because of, or focussing on, the issue of sexuality and gender.
• Verbal - name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing.
• Cyber - all areas of internet, such as misuse of email & internet chat room and sites such as Snapchat, Facebook, threats made by text messaging and calls, misuse of associated technology i.e. camera and video facilities.

What can you do?

First and foremost it is important to come forward. If you feel humiliated, threatened or even repeatedly patronised or isolated by someone else, then don’t feel you have to put up with it. The sooner you try to resolve the situation, the better – and most situations can, with a little help be resolved.

Although it may feel daunting to come forward at first, remember that you can only change the situation if you tell somebody. It must be the person being bullied who makes the complaint. All incidents that are reported will be dealt with seriously and sensitively. Ordinarily, the first person you would talk to is your Personal Tutor or Senior Tutor, but if you feel it is more appropriate you can consult Victoria.Morgan@winstanley.ac.uk – Assistant Principal from the outset. Sometimes you might just want a sympathetic listening ear from a member of staff. All the individuals involved in any alleged bullying will be seen separately. Where possible we will try to respect confidentiality. You can also use the stand-up, speak out buttons on your portal to report an incident if you would rather do this first.

What happens after I raise a concern?

Sometimes the alleged bully is genuinely unaware of the effect of their behaviour, other times there is real misunderstanding and miscommunication on both sides. In all cases, we will negotiate between all parties to bring about a favourable solution. The aim of such negotiation is for the participants to agree on acceptable behaviour. Usually this resolves the matter, although in very rare cases the Senior Team may need to be involved if the issue requires disciplinary action. For further details regarding Race, Disability and Gender Equality Schemes see the internet site under Student Support.

Student Equality and Diversity Policies

Winstanley College is committed to creating an inclusive environment that is pro-active in the way that it respects Equality and Diversity for all. This means three things for students and staff:

Firstly, even though we are aware of the differences caused by, for example, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, physical ability or health status, age or socio-economic background, College aims to respond to these differences in a way that meets your needs both as an individual and as someone who may feel affiliation to particular groups. We want to give people the opportunity to work or study in an environment where you feel safe, respected and appreciated and where your voice can be heard.

Secondly, College needs to provide a learning environment that helps each individual student to learn effectively and each member of staff to develop. You’re learning and development needs – however individual they are – should be met and supported by College.

Thirdly, we would like you to be aware of, and participate in, your local community and in the vibrant and dynamic multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multi-cultural world of Britain today. Our commitment to you means, therefore, that we encourage you to be involved in your local community, particularly in the working world and in the wider European and world community.

If you feel discriminated against or you know of others that are discriminated against in any way, do something about it. As a student, discuss and sort out the situation either with your Personal Tutor, by coming to the student Equality and Diversity group or by speaking to Alan Willis, Assistant Principal.

Equality and Diversity and the annual Equality and Diversity self-assessment report and action plan is promoted and monitored by the Equality and Diversity Steering Group.

Bullying and harassment policy

Student Policy

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our students so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Being bullied can happen at any age and is a terrible experience. No-one at College would like to feel that anyone was suffering because of bullying or harassment. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our College. If bullying does occur, all students should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively.

What is bullying?

It is difficult to define exactly what people mean by the term. Bullying is the use of aggression, usually with the intention of hurting another person. This may focus on a person’s perceived ‘difference’ such as sexuality, race or disability. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim even if this is not the sole intention of the harasser. Bullying can be:

• Emotional - being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting
• Physical - pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
• Racist - racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
• Sexual - unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
• Homophobic because of, or focussing on, the issue of sexuality
• Verbal - name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing
• Cyber - all areas of internet, such as misuse of email & internet chat room and sites such as Snapchat, Facebook, threats made by text messaging and calls, misuse of associated technology i.e. camera and video facilities.

What can you do?

First and foremost it is important to come forward. If you feel humiliated, threatened or even repeatedly patronised or isolated by someone else, then don’t feel you have to put up with it. The sooner you try to resolve the situation, the better – and most situations can, with a little help be resolved.

Although it may feel daunting to come forward at first, remember that you can only change the situation if you tell somebody. It must be the person being bullied who makes the complaint. All incidents that are reported will be dealt with seriously and sensitively.

Ordinarily, the first person you would talk to is your Personal Tutor, but if you feel it is more appropriate you can consult Alan Willis, Assistant Principal or Mel Chadwick, Vice Principal from the outset. Sometimes you might just want a sympathetic listening ear from a member of staff. All the individuals involved in any alleged bullying will be seen separately. Where possible we will try to respect confidentiality.
Sometimes the alleged bully is genuinely unaware of the effect of their behaviour, other times there is real misunderstanding and miscommunication on both sides. In all cases, we will negotiate between all parties to bring about a favourable solution. The aim of such negotiation is for the participants to agree on acceptable behaviour. Usually this resolves the matter, although in very rare cases the Principalship may need to be involved on a more formal level. For further details regarding
Race, Disability and Gender Equality Schemes see the internet site under Student Support and the 2U website.

Student Contract

As a student, and as a young adult, you also have responsibilities in matters of attendance, application to study and general behaviour, which are outlined below. These form your contract with the College which you will sign at induction.

ILT Code of Conduct

The following code of conduct applies to all IT users at Winstanley College. The College will ensure that everyone has access to equipment and software of a high standard. This Code of Conduct is designed to encourage the development of good and safe practice in the use of IT. By logging onto a computer you are agreeing to use all College IT facilities in line with College policy.

Good Practice

• Whilst using email you should take care not to include anything that might bring the College into disrepute
• Food or drinks should not be consumed in any computer room, as this is a Health and Safety hazard. The person using the computer after you does not want to dip their fingers in anything that might have fallen out of your mouth
• You should only use your own password for logging on
• Do not disclose your password to others or let others use a computer with your password. You will be held responsible for any infringements that take place whilst the computer is logged on with your password
• The College has a duty to log all staff and student access to the network and record any Internet sites visited or e-mail transmissions. Please be aware that any infringements that occur whilst a computer is logged on with your password will be regarded as being committed by you
• You should not play computer games at any time
• You should not access Facebook or any other social network site outside of permitted times
• Think before printing! There is a cost against the College and the environment
• Save your work often and make sure you have a back up copy
• This code of conduct should be read in conjunction with:
• Student Disciplinary Policy
• Disciplinary Procedure for all staff other than Senior Post Holders
• Disciplinary Procedure for Senior Post Holders
• IT Users Policy (incorporating Telephone and CCTV)

If you have any queries about your rights and responsibilities whilst connected to the College network please have them clarified before you make use of the system.