At St Matthew’s Academy, it is essential that every member of our school community feels safe, valued and respected. We are therefore committed to actively promoting positive relationships across our school. Positive relationships are those that foster mutual respect, cooperation and a strong sense of personal worth, and are a clear expression of our Catholic values. By nurturing positive relationships, we support pupils’ wellbeing, strengthen their self-esteem and enable them to achieve their full potential.
Bullying is one of the most common causes of unhappiness in schools. It is defined as the ongoing and deliberate misuse of power to hurt, frighten or belittle another person, and can take many forms, including name-calling, threats, damage to property or physical abuse. Bullying often thrives in silence, and the most effective way to address it is through reporting concerns. Any pupil or member of the school community affected by bullying can be confident that they will be listened to and that their concerns will be taken seriously.
Pupils at St Matthew’s Academy are encouraged to promote positive relationships by:
- Treating others with respect
- Including others and ensuring no one feels isolated
- Avoiding ridicule or unkind behaviour
- Being polite and speaking to others in a respectful manner
- Listening to others without interrupting
- Encouraging positive behaviour in their peers
- Supporting and looking after one another
- Refusing to engage in or tolerate group intimidation or exclusion
- Supporting the school’s anti-bullying strategy and challenging bullying behaviour
- Participating actively in PSE lessons and groups that promote positive relationships
