Our Anti-Bullying and Behaviour Policy promotes kindness, self-discipline, and mutual respect in line with the Montessori approach to learning and development.
We define bullying as any repeated behaviour intended to hurt, intimidate, or isolate another child—whether physical, verbal, emotional, or online. Such behaviour is not tolerated under any circumstances.
1. Policy Statement
At Hubert Ogunde Memorial Montessori School, we are committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment where every child can learn and grow free from fear, intimidation, or harm. We take all incidents of bullying and inappropriate behaviour seriously and respond promptly, firmly, and fairly.
We promote positive behaviour through the Montessori philosophy of mutual respect, self-discipline, and personal responsibility.
2. Aims
- To prevent bullying and poor behaviour through proactive education and early intervention.
- To create a culture of respect, empathy, and inclusion among pupils and staff.
- To ensure all pupils, staff, and parents understand the school’s expectations for conduct.
- To encourage reporting of bullying and inappropriate behaviour without fear.
- To support affected children and address behavioural issues in a constructive and developmental manner.
3. Definition of Bullying
Bullying is deliberate, repeated behaviour intended to hurt, humiliate, or intimidate another person. It can take the form of:
- Physical (hitting, pushing)
- Verbal (name-calling, threats)
- Emotional (excluding others, spreading rumours)
- Cyberbullying (via phones, messaging apps, or online platforms)
4. Behaviour Expectations
All pupils are expected to:
- Treat others with kindness and respect
- Follow school routines and instructions
- Speak calmly and truthfully
- Take responsibility for their actions
Staff model respectful behaviour and use positive reinforcement, redirection, and reflective dialogue to guide pupils.
5. Responding to Incidents
- All reports of bullying or poor behaviour will be taken seriously and investigated sensitively.
- Where necessary, pupils will receive support and guidance to correct behaviour through age-appropriate consequences.
- Repeat or serious incidents will involve the school leadership and may require meetings with parents/carers.
6. Parental Involvement
We value open communication with families. Parents are encouraged to:
- Report concerns early
- Support the school’s values and expectations at home
- Work with staff to find solutions that support each child’s growth
7. Review & Monitoring
This policy is reviewed annually to ensure its effectiveness and relevance. We invite feedback from staff, parents, and pupils as part of our continuous commitment to a safe and supportive learning environment.