Our Commitment

At Rathfern Primary School, we believe every child has the right to feel safe, valued and respected. We are committed to creating an inclusive, nurturing environment where bullying is never tolerated, and where kindness, empathy and courage are celebrated every day.

Our approach empowers children to become upstanders, not bystanders – supporting one another, speaking out against unkind behaviour, and helping to ensure everyone feels welcome and safe in our school community.

Anti-Bullying Buddies

At Rathfern, we proudly run our Anti-Bullying Buddy Programme, where pupils are trained to support their peers across the school.

Our Anti-Bullying Buddies are:

• role models for kindness and respect

• trained to recognise different types of bullying

• confident in supporting children to speak up and seek help

• trusted peer leaders on the playground and around school

Buddies complete specialised training each year and are awarded a certificate and a Buddy Badge. They wear their badge every day so they can be easily identified by other children who may need support or a friendly face.

How Our Buddies Help

Anti-Bullying Buddies support our community by:

✅ listening to children who might be worried or upset
✅ helping children solve small friendship issues
✅ encouraging others to talk to a trusted adult
✅ modelling respectful and inclusive behaviour
✅ promoting our anti-bullying values in school assemblies and events

We also have a Buddy Bench on the playground, where children can sit if they would like someone to talk to or play with. Buddies monitor this space daily so no child ever feels alone.

Training and Leadership

Throughout the year, our Anti-Bullying Buddies take part in workshops, leadership activities and school initiatives designed to strengthen their confidence and understanding of what bullying is and how to prevent it.

As part of their training, the buddies have created:

• anti-bullying posters displayed around the school

• peer awareness campaigns

• a school video explaining what bullying looks like and how we challenge it at Rathfern

Watch our Anti-Bullying Buddies video:
🎥 Rathfern Anti-Bullying Buddies Video
https://vimeo.com/797024170/b70b6e6cf9

Our School Values in Action

Our anti-bullying work is rooted in Rathfern’s values of:

• Respect

• Equality

• Courage

• Friendship

• Responsibility

Through modelling positive behaviour, promoting empathy and building confidence, we ensure every child understands how to stand up for themselves and for others.

rathfern anti bullying ambassadors.pdf

Reporting and Support

If a child feels worried or unsafe, they can:

• speak to a Buddy

• talk to their teacher or teaching assistant

• speak to a trusted adult in school

• use the Buddy Bench at playtime

We encourage open communication across our whole community — pupils, staff and families — so that concerns can be addressed quickly and effectively.