At William Lilley, we have a relational approach to supporting positive behaviour.  We have a wide range of strategies, programmes and techniques that we use to support children to build positive and effective relationships with each other.  Please take a look at our PSED curriculum for more information:

William Lilley Infant and Nursery School - Personal, Social and Emotional Development

As children learn how to communicate, share, listen to others and build their friendships, there are also times when they fall out.  This is usual and normal as children navigate how to cooperate and negotiate with others.  In order to recognise the difference between bullying and relational conflict we have the following definitions: 

Relational conflict

At William Lilley we use the term ‘relational conflict’ when discussing friendship fallouts or incidents occurring between pupils that do not fall into the category of bullying. Relational conflict usually involves individuals or groups who are relatively similar in power and status, the behaviours happen occasionally and could be considered accidental.  Usually, following an incident, pupils show remorse and there is a general willingness to make things right or resolve the conflict.

Not all relational conflict or falling out leads to bullying, but we always bear in mind that unresolved bad feelings or relationship problems left unaddressed can be the start of a pattern of behaviour in which the intention becomes to cause harm or distress.

Bullying

Nottinghamshire uses the definition of bullying provided by the Anti-Bullying Alliance:

“Bullying is the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or psychological. It can happen face to face or online.”

Regardless of whether an incident or situation is deemed as ‘relational conflict’ or ‘bullying’, we aim to address the situation and support the pupils to resolve any negative feelings. in these instances we monitor children following a ‘relational conflict’ to ensure that the situation has been resolved and does not escalate to bullying.

We challenge, address, and monitor any incidents of bullying, to ensure the bullying does not continue and that all pupils feel supported.

For more information, including a child friendly guide, please visit our school policies:

William Lilley Infant and Nursery School - School policies