Stranraer Academy
Anti-Bullying Policy
Stranraer Academy · Dumfries & Galloway
We want Stranraer Academy to be a place where everyone feels safe, respected and included. No one should have to deal with bullying.
What We Believe
Everyone has the right to feel safe at school.
Bullying is never acceptable — not ever.
If bullying happens it will be taken seriously and dealt with quickly.
You can talk to any member of staff if you're worried — for yourself or someone else.
What Counts as Bullying?
Bullying makes you feel hurt, scared, threatened, or left out — face-to-face or online. Tap each type to find out more.
Pressure to fit in, being made to feel bad about yourself, having your possessions stolen, damaged or hidden.
Being deliberately left out, excluded from groups, or not being spoken to on purpose.
Name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing, and personal comments meant to hurt.
Pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence. This can go beyond bullying and may be treated as a criminal matter.
Nasty messages, sharing photos without permission, harassment via social media, messaging apps, email, or any online platform.
Bullying because of race, disability, gender, religion, sexuality, body image, being a young carer, or any other protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.
How to Spot It
How We Prevent Bullying
- Teaching about respect and relationships in Health & Wellbeing
- Assemblies and awareness events including LGBT History Month, Autism Awareness Week and Show Racism the Red Card
- Senior pupils trained to support younger pupils
- Anti-Bullying Committee and MVP peer mentors in school
- Encouraging kindness, respect and positive behaviour throughout the school community
Everyone's Responsibility
Every child and young person in Stranraer Academy should make their journey through secondary school free from bullying behaviour. It is our aspiration that all those who play a role in the lives of children and young people are enabled to prevent and respond effectively to incidents of bullying behaviour.
Statement of Intent
- All young people, staff, parents and carers have the right to be protected from abusive and bullying behaviours.
- Any young person subject to bullying behaviour should have the confidence to report it and know it will be dealt with promptly.
- Anyone aware of an incident — or who has received it directly — should report it.
Underpinning Legislation & Frameworks
- Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC)
- UNCRC — UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 & 2009
- Curriculum for Excellence
- National Care Standards
- Equally Well
- Equality Act 2010
Aims of this Policy
🎯 Prevention
- Prevent bullying behaviour of young people
- Build capacity, resilience and skills in young people, parents and carers
🤝 Support
- Support those affected and their families
- Provide a secure, positive environment to discuss problems
📚 Training
- Ensure information, training and support for staff working with young people
- Consistent alignment with D&G Council policy
Outcomes for Young People
- Young people who have experienced bullying will be supported to develop self-esteem and confidence.
- Change in behaviours of those who display bullying behaviour: negative to positive.
- Where possible, all parties involved will be reconciled.
- Cases monitored by Pupil Support Staff and Year Heads after incidents.
- Bullying recorded on SEEMiS 'Bullying and Equalities' module and the central bullying log.
- Young people have access to the Stranraer Academy Bully Box — a discreet reporting portal.
- All reports responded to within 2 working days and fully actioned/resolved.
Definition of Bullying
Protected Characteristics (Equality Act 2010)
Bullying related to protected characteristics will be addressed in partnership with Police Scotland.
Prevention Strategies
- Challenging the idea that bullying behaviour is acceptable and part of growing up
- Health & Wellbeing classes, assemblies, posters, pupil council, surveys and group discussion
- Good adult supervision and partnership working with external agencies
- Senior pupil training programme to monitor younger pupils
- Anti-Bullying Committee and MVP peer-mentoring programme
- Establishing and upholding the school core values
- National campaigns: LGBT History Month, Autism Awareness Week, Show Racism the Red Card
Bullying behaviour is never acceptable.
It is not a normal part of growing up. It does not build character.
Trust, acceptance, consistency and safety build character.
Monitor & Review
Ways to Report
Speak to any teacher or member of staff
Any adult in the building will take your report seriously and pass it to the right person.
Talk to Pupil Support
Your Pupil Support teacher is there specifically to help. Contact the school here.
Use the Bully Box
A discreet portal where you can report without needing to speak to anyone face-to-face.
Ask a friend to help
A trusted friend can go with you or report on your behalf if you find it hard to speak up alone.
Parents and Carers
Parents and carers can report directly to the school. Staff will contact families as part of the investigation.
What Happens Next
- Staff will listen to you and take you seriously
- They will find out what happened and speak to everyone involved
- They will support you and help you feel safe
- They will work with the person displaying bullying behaviour to help them change
- Parents/carers may be contacted
- Serious incidents may involve the School Campus Police Officer
- The incident will be logged on SEEMiS and the central bullying log
For Staff — Procedures
Impact of Bullying
- Heightened anxiety and anticipation
- Deteriorating school attendance
- Low self-esteem and no aspirations
- Eating disorders
- Depression and self-harm
- Risk-taking and substance misuse
- Stress, anxiety and guilt
- Helplessness and anticipation
- Strained relationships
- Aggression in the household
- Relationship difficulties
- Negative impact on school ethos
- Poor attendance and truancy
- Lack of pupil aspirations
- Difficulties in the community
- Negative role models
- Violence and aggression
- Pressure on support services
Staff Response Guide
🟦 When Someone Reports
- Do not panic — keep an open mind
- Listen and give your full attention
- Meet somewhere comfortable with no distractions
- Assure them that bullying is not acceptable
- Encourage them to talk — write down what happened, who, when and where
- Let them speak without interrupting
- Ask: what do they want you to do?
- Keep them informed of progress
🟥 When Responding to the Person Who Bullied
- Address behaviour per the school's behaviour policy
- Listen — discover the reasons behind the behaviour
- Do not label the individual as a 'bully'
- Be prepared to discuss prejudicial attitudes
- Address what is behind the behaviour even after it stops
- Refer to Youth Work or School Counsellor as appropriate
- Invite parents/carers in as appropriate
Support Strategies
External Help Organisations
| Organisation | Contact | Who It's For |
|---|---|---|
| RespectmeScotland's Anti-Bullying Service | www.respectme.org.uk 0844 800 8600 | Everyone |
| Childline | www.childline.org.uk 0800 1111Free · 24/7 | Children & young people |
| KidscapeParents Helpline | www.kidscape.org.uk 0845 1 205 204 | Parents & carers |
| Bullying Online | www.bullying.co.uk | Young people, parents |
| LGBT Youth Scotland | www.lgbtyouth.org.uk | LGBTQ+ young people |
In School — Who to Talk To
👩🏫 Any Teacher
- Any member of staff can receive a report
- They will pass it to the right person
- No need to know who specifically to go to
🤝 Pupil Support Team
- Specialist support for wellbeing issues
- Will investigate and follow up
- Confidential and caring approach
📦 Bully Box
- Anonymous discreet reporting portal
- No face-to-face needed
- Available to all pupils
🚔 Campus Police Officer
- Involved for serious incidents
- When a crime may have been committed
- Works in partnership with school
Stranraer Academy is committed to every young person's right to a safe, positive school experience.
Bullying is never acceptable and will always be taken seriously.
Anti-Bullying
Policy 2026/27
Stranraer Academy · Download Your Version
Pupil Version
Pupil-Friendly Version
Written for you. Clear and honest about what bullying is, how to spot it, and exactly what to do if it happens to you or someone you know.
Download PDF
Full Policy
Parent, Carer & Staff Version
The complete policy — definitions, legislation, procedures, response guidance, and support strategies. Everything needed to understand and act on bullying.
Download PDFStranraer Academy · Reviewed Annually · In partnership with respectme
