3.3) All reports of bullying are recorded through a robust electronic system that is understood and consistently used by all staff.

Rating description: 

  • Fully met: We have a robust electronic system to record bullying, and all staff use it regularly. All staff have been trained on using the system and training on it is included in the induction of new staff. 
  • Partially met: We have an electronic system to record bullying, but not all staff know how to use the system and/ or use it regularly or consistently. 
  • Not yet met: We do not have a robust electronic system to record bullying. 

Why is this important? 

Recording all bullying reports in a robust electronic system ensures that concerns are not overlooked, lost, or handled inconsistently. When all staff understand and use the system in the same way, it enables accurate tracking of incidents, timely follow-ups, and a clear picture of patterns or repeat concerns. This shared approach also supports accountability, safeguarding, and transparency, ensuring that responses to bullying are fair and coordinated rather than dependent on individual staff practices. Ultimately, a reliable recording system helps schools intervene earlier, monitor impact, and provide better support for pupils - demonstrating a committed and systematic approach to tackling bullying.

Top tips:

  • Train all staff on how and when to record incidents, provide simple guidance, examples, and refreshers so everyone understands what qualifies as bullying, when to log it, and how to use the system consistently.
  • Make the system easy to access and use, ensure the recording platform is visible, quick to open, and user-friendly - staff are far more likely to record accurately when the process is straightforward.
  • Regularly review data to spot patterns and trends, and act early - schedule termly reviews to look for repeat incidents, vulnerable pupils or hotspots in school and then feed findings into targeted actions or support.
  • Provide feedback to pupils and staff, letting them know that reports lead to action, which builds trust, encourages reporting, and reinforces accountability.

Resources and examples: 

Resources:

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.

See below for quotes and pieces of advice from other schools: 

  • "We filmed how to report bullying, who to report it to, how to spot the anti-bullying ambassadors, how to report it if they don’t want to talk to anyone, what happens after. We have learnt from this process that we need to keep reminding pupils of the ways to report bullying and that simply telling them is not enough."
  • "[Improving our recording system] is the single most impactful thing we have done at Bedminster Down School from an anti bullying perspective.  It has allowed us to understand a lot more about our school.  Our concerns about the reporting tool being abused has not been reality."

Back to 3. Reporting Bullying and Using Data 

Note: the resources listed at the bottom of this page (below) have all been linked & referenced in the case study section above.