Anti-Bullying Policy Review for the New School Year
A practical anti-bullying policy review for the new school year, covering reporting routes, recording, pupil voice, staff confidence and follow-up.
Read the guideAnti-Bullying Staff Briefing for the First Month
A short staff briefing at the start of term can make reporting routes, response language and follow-up more consistent before patterns become harder to see.
Agree the shared languageMake the first response clearInclude online behaviour and safeguardingSchedule a follow-up check
Agree the shared language
Remind staff how the school describes bullying behaviour, repeated harm, exclusion, prejudice-based bullying and online incidents. The aim is not to turn every interaction into a label; it is to help adults notice patterns and respond without minimising impact.
Use two or three fictional examples so staff can discuss the difference between conflict, unkind behaviour and a pattern that needs a formal response.
Make the first response clear
Staff should know what to do when a pupil tells them something: listen calmly, thank the pupil for speaking, avoid promising secrecy, record the concern through the agreed route and pass it to the named person.
Make the next step visible. A pupil is more likely to report again when adults can explain what will happen after the first conversation and when they will check back in.
Include online behaviour and safeguarding
Group chats, screenshots, anonymous accounts and online exclusion can affect school life even when the original message was sent outside school. Staff do not need to investigate alone, but they do need to know how to preserve information, report the concern and escalate when risk is serious.
Revisit safeguarding routes so staff understand when an anti-bullying concern may also require the school safeguarding process.
Schedule a follow-up check
Put a short review in the calendar after the first month. Ask whether staff are using the route consistently, whether pupils understand who to approach and whether any year group or setting needs additional support.
For live support, see the anti-bullying workshop options for staff CPD and pupil sessions.
Useful official resources
Education Authority NI OpenAddressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 OpenAnti-Bullying Alliance Open
Related school guides
Parent Communication for Anti-Bullying at the Start of the School Year
A practical parent communication plan for anti-bullying support at the start of the school year, including reporting routes and follow-up.
Read the guideGroup Chats and Online Safety for the New School Year
Help pupils and families prepare for group-chat pressure, screenshots, online reporting and safer digital communication at the start of term.
Read the guide