Effective date: 25 September 2026
Review date: September 2027
1. Our approach
Motion Film Academy does not tolerate bullying or harassment.
Bullying may be physical, verbal, emotional, social or online. It may include repeated behaviour intended to intimidate, hurt, humiliate or exclude another student.
A single serious incident may also require action even where it does not meet the usual definition of bullying.
2. Reporting bullying
Students should tell a tutor, the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or another trusted adult if they experience or witness bullying.
Parents or carers can also raise concerns with the academy.
All concerns will be taken seriously.
3. What we will do
Where bullying is reported, the academy will:
- Ensure the immediate safety and welfare of those involved.
- Listen to the students concerned separately.
- Establish the relevant facts without making assumptions.
- Record the concern and actions taken where appropriate.
- Inform parents or carers where appropriate.
- Take proportionate action to stop the behaviour.
- Monitor the situation afterwards to ensure the problem has been resolved.
4. Serious incidents
Where behaviour involves threats, violence, abuse, sexualised behaviour, discriminatory abuse, exploitation or another safeguarding concern, the matter will also be dealt with under the academy’s safeguarding procedures.
The police or relevant safeguarding services may be contacted where appropriate.
5. False or malicious allegations
Concerns will always be taken seriously and investigated fairly.
Students should not be punished simply because a concern cannot be substantiated. However, deliberately making a malicious or knowingly false allegation may itself be treated as a behaviour issue.
6. Online bullying
Bullying through social media, messaging services, gaming platforms or other online channels may be addressed where it affects students or the safety and wellbeing of the academy community.
7. Review
This procedure will be reviewed annually and following any significant incident or change to academy activities.
Next review: September 2027