Rating description:
- Fully met: The policy is up to date and has a formal process for review with staff, pupils and parents
- Partially met: We have a policy but it is not up to date and/or doesn’t have a formal process for review with staff, pupils and parents
- Not yet met: We don’t have an anti-bullying policy and/or behaviour policy
Why is this important?
Having an up-to-date anti-bullying policy, or a behaviour policy that includes anti-bullying, ensures that the school’s approach remains effective, relevant, and responsive to emerging challenges. Regularly reviewing the policy with input from pupils, staff, and parents promotes a sense of shared responsibility and ensures that it reflects the experiences and needs of the whole school community. This collaborative approach strengthens commitment to tackling bullying, increases awareness of expectations and procedures, and helps create a safe, respectful, and inclusive school environment where all pupils feel protected and supported.
Top Tips:
- Whatever type of school you are – a carefully considered anti-bullying policy that is put into action on a daily basis is vital for the protection of pupils and staff.
- We would recommend that this is a stand alone anti-bullying policy that you publish on the school website and regularly promote to pupils, staff and other members of the school community.
- Having an anti-bullying policy does not suggest that you have a bullying issue – bullying can happen anywhere, and a good policy ensures pupils and staff are clear on expectations and on how you tackle bullying as a community.
Resources and examples:
Resources:
- ABA have written a guide for schools about a whole-school approach to writing / revising your anti-bullying policy which you find here.
- If you want to find out what the law says about anti-bullying policies you can see this page or complete our free online CPD training module.
- Bullying UK have some information on their website about anti-bullying policies.
Examples:
Please note that examples from primary and other school settings may still include some useful hints and tips you can adapt and apply for a secondary setting.
- Primary School Case Study - on educating the school community on anti-bullying through a comprehensive anti-bullying policy.
- Secondary School Case Study - on developing a new anti-bullying policy with the help of the school's Anti-Bullying Student Leaders.
- Secondary School Case Study - on involving pupils and staff in updating the anti-bullying policy.
- Secondary School Case Study - on using a peer mentor group to develop a student-friendly anti-bullying policy.
See below for quotes and pieces of advice from other schools:
- "A letter was sent to all parents, including our governor for PSHE, about anti-bullying week-signposting where our policies were online and asking for their input to review it. They had a meeting with the head teacher after this to change aspects of the policy."
- "We have updated our anti-bulling policy this year and it has been written with pupils, staff, parents and govenors included in the process. It has been reviewed at numerous points throughout the year to ensure that it includes the correct information and will be reviewed again in September."
- "It is vital to have a whole school consistent approach with all of our Anti-Bullying and Behaviour Policies that every member of staff adheres to. Revisiting these policies regularly is key so that they do not become stagnant."
You can see tools and case studies in the attachments section below.
Schools who took part in our previous programme said:
Note: the resources listed at the bottom of this page (below) have all been referenced in the text above.