At St Matthew's Academy, we understand that children will sometimes disagree or fall out with friends. Bullying is different from these one-off incidents. It usually involves repeated behaviour that is intended to hurt or upset someone, and it often happens when there is a power imbalance, where one child or group has more social, physical, or emotional influence than another. Not every conflict between children is bullying; occasional arguments, friendship difficulties, or unkind comments are addressed as behaviour or relationship issues and are part of helping children learn how to get along with others. When concerns arise, our priority is to listen carefully, support the children involved, and address issues early through guidance, restorative conversations, and teaching respectful, kind behaviour.

Understanding Bullying:

• Repeated unkind behaviour that is meant to hurt someone’s feelings or make them feel upset, scared, or left out.

• Name-calling or teasing about things like appearance, ability, family, religion, culture, or where someone comes from.

• Spreading rumours or gossip about another child to damage friendships.

• Deliberately leaving someone out of games, group activities, or friendships on purpose.

• Threatening behaviour, such as saying someone will be hurt, embarrassed, or punished if they don’t do what another child wants.

• Physical behaviour, including pushing, hitting, kicking, tripping, or taking/damaging someone’s belongings.

• Making fun of a child repeatedly, even if it is said to be “just joking”.

• Using social pressure, such as encouraging others to ignore or gang up on a child.

• Online or digital bullying (cyberbullying) where children send unkind messages, share hurtful comments, or exclude someone in online chats or games used by pupils.

• Targeting someone because they are different, including their:

  • faith or beliefs

  • disability or additional needs

  • race or culture

  • family situation

  • gender

Signs a child might be experiencing bullying

Parents might notice that a child:

• becomes reluctant to go to school

• has unexplained injuries or missing belongings

• seems withdrawn, anxious, or unusually upset after school

• suddenly loses confidence or friendships

Important points for parents

• Bullying is usually repeated behaviour, not a one-off disagreement or playground fall-out.

• Bullying involves a power imbalance, where one child (or group) has more social, physical, or emotional power than another.

• Not every conflict is bullying—children sometimes fall out, argue, or say unkind things once, and these are addressed as behaviour or friendship issues.

• Schools aim to resolve concerns early through listening, support, restorative conversations, and teaching respectful behaviour.