Listen without interrogating
Move the conversation to a suitable private space, thank the pupil for telling you and let them use their own words. Calm prompts such as what happened next, where did this happen and what are you worried may happen now can help establish immediate needs.
Avoid rapid questioning, asking why the pupil did not report sooner or demanding evidence before taking the concern seriously. Do not promise secrecy. Explain that information will be shared only with the people who need to help.
Check immediate safety and safeguarding
Ask whether the pupil feels safe returning to the next lesson, break, transport or online space connected with school. Consider whether there are threats, physical harm, coercion, sexualised behaviour, discriminatory abuse, image sharing or another safeguarding indicator.
Follow the school safeguarding procedure promptly when required. An anti-bullying response does not replace child-protection, emergency or other statutory routes.
Record facts and the pupil’s words
Record the specific behaviour, date, place, people involved, witnesses mentioned, impact described and any immediate action. Distinguish what the pupil said from what the adult observed or inferred.
Relevant screenshots or messages should be handled through the school's approved system. Do not ask pupils to keep engaging with harmful content, circulate evidence or collect material in a way that increases risk.
Explain what happens next
Tell the pupil who will receive the concern, what the next practical step is and when someone will update them. Avoid promising a particular outcome before the school has reviewed the information and heard from the people involved.
Protect the privacy of other pupils. Staff can explain the process and the support being offered without sharing confidential disciplinary or personal information.
Plan follow-up rather than closing the case
Set a time to check whether the behaviour has stopped, whether the pupil feels safer and whether attendance, learning, friendships or online contact are still affected. Review any short-term safety arrangement so it does not quietly become the pupil's permanent burden.
Prevention matters too. The HIP Psychology P4-P7 workshop helps pupils describe bullying and conflict more clearly, while the policy guide supports a consistent whole-school route.