(Cambridge Assessment International Examination, Edexcel, Oxford AQA -IGCSE/AS/A Level) P.O Box: 24023, Dubai, UAE, Tel: +97142671115 www.diyafah.com “Let Your Light Shine” Read and Understood: Senior Leadership Team (SLT) Reviewed and updated: March 2025 Principal Signature: Date of next review: March 2026
Page 1 of 3 ANTI-BULLYING POLICY PURPOSE: Al Diyafah High School has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, in any form, as we believe that each child has the right to an educational environment where they can feel safe and valued. The prevention, identification and reporting of bullying is the responsibility of all ADHS staff, students, and parents. SCOPE: This policy is applicable to all ADHS staff, students and parents. The policy covers all forms of bullying. It is the responsibility of all members of the school community to ensure that all community members may learn and work in a safe, supportive and positive environment. ABOUT BULLYING: Here, at Al Diyafah, we define bullying as behaviour that is repetitive, intentional and involves a misuse of power in the relationship. This can be by an individual or group causing harm, distress, or fear to the victim. Bullying can take on many forms and includes • Verbal: Name calling, cursing, spreading rumours, teasing, or making anonymous phone calls. • Physical: Any acts of violence like pushing, kicking, beating, or taking other’s belongings and hiding it. • Social: Persuading others to ignore someone causing emotional distress. • Suggestive: Gestures that may come across as threatening or rude. • Cyberbullying: An aggressive, intentional act carried out by a group or an individual using electronic forms of contact repeatedly, mostly anonymously, 24/7 against a victim who cannot easily defend himself/herself. ACTIONS/CONSEQUENCES: The corrective actions and consequences relating to all forms of bullying behaviour whether, verbal, physical, emotional, social, suggestive and or cyber are included in the Behaviour for Learning Policy. How to respond to bullying. If a student feels they are being bullied, then they should: • Reach out to someone they are comfortable with. • Students have been informed about their various points of contacts (whom to go to if a problem occurs) here in school. Starting with their Form Tutors, followed by the Head of Year, then the Key stage Head and finally the Head of Section or any member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). Prevention of bullying can be achieved through: • Respecting others • Not giving in to peer pressure • Learning to be tolerant and broadminded • Celebrate individual differences • Be aware of the schools anti bullying policy
Page 2 of 3 How can parents help • Be aware of your child's interests, their social life and in school events. • Encourage your child to be tolerant, broad minded and embrace individual differences. • Look out for any physical, psychosomatic, emotional, or disturbing behaviours that may indicate that your child is being bullied. • Build your child's self-esteem. • Discuss the schools Anti-Bullying policy with the child. • Refrain from contacting other parents or circulating information on social media. • Report it immediately to the school authorities (Form Tutor/ Head of Year/School Counsellor/SLT). It is an expectation within the UAE that all educational establishments follow the Law regarding Tolerance. ABOUT CYBERBULLYING Cyberbullying or digital harassment can include: Bullying by text or messages or calls on mobile phones. The use of mobile camera to cause distress, fear, or humiliation. Posting threatening, abusive, and defamatory or humiliating materials on websites which include blogs, personal websites, and social networking sites. Using mails to message others, hijacking/cloning email accounts. Making threatening, abusive and defamatory or humiliating remarks in a chat room. Through gaming where people can view, participate or share content which is inappropriate. Note: All forms of cyberbullying conducted on or off campus is immediately referred to the parents. If the cyberbullying is proven to be instigated during the school day and on the campus, then the consequences as per the behaviour policy will be implemented. If the cyberbullying occurred after school hours and off campus the matter is referred to the parents, via personal communication from the Principal, for action. Roles and responsibilities regarding cyberbullying: The school endeavours to block access to inappropriate websites, using firewalls, antivirus protection and filtering systems. The school will support victims and work with authorities where necessary to detect those involved in these acts. Use appropriate sanctions for children who bully fellow children or harass staff both in and out of school. Ensure staff are aware of their responsibilities by providing clear guidance for staff on the use of technology. All members are aware that they have a duty to bring to attention of the SLT any example of cyberbullying or harassment they know of or suspect. Ensure all policies related to bullying are reviewed and updated regularly. Ensure that at the beginning of the term, cyberbullying is revisited as part of the student's safety. Confidentiality and sensitivity to the wellbeing of the student.
Page 3 of 3 Guidance for teachers regarding cyberbullying: Make sure to record Date, Time, Names and medium of bullying. Make a transcript of the spoken message displayed on the concerned device. Print off the offending material straight away. Make sure there are no omissions of material. If a child protection issue arises, standard protocols are adhered to. Guidance for students regarding cyberbullying: If you or someone you know is the victim of cyber bullying, speak to a trusted adult as soon as possible. Do not answer abusive messages but log and report them. Do not delete anything until it has been shown to an appropriate person. Never reply to abusive emails. Never reply to someone you don't know. Guidance for parents regarding cyberbullying: Parents should, • Always be aware and monitor the sites your child is visiting. • Limit the use of screen and internet usage. • Explain to your child the importance of staying safe on the internet. • Explain to your child legal issues relating to cyber bullying. • Speak to one of the members of the SLT or the child protection officer straight away about any concerns. Cyberbullying is generally criminal in nature/character. The UAE cybercrime Law No 5 of 2012 issued by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2012 states guidelines for the misuse of technology. Defamation, which is often at the core of cyberbullying is potentially a criminal offence in the UAE. Not only does the UAE have extensive provisions within its Penal code (Federal Law no 8 of 1987) but it also has the benefit of the cyber-crimes Law (Federal Decree No 5 of 2012 on Cyber-crimes)
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