A whole-school approach to anti-bullying is cohesive, collective and collaborative action in and by a school community that has been strategically constructed with school leadership to reduce bullying and respond to it appropriately.
There is evidence that a ‘whole school approach’ (Cambridge Education, 2005) where the whole school community - including pupils, teachers, support staff, parents, and the board of governors - are involved in confronting the issue of bullying, is the most effective approach to tackling bullying in school.
A strategic whole-school approach tackles bullying from many angles across the school and includes:
- senior leadership and pupil and parent voice thread throughout
- a strong whole school anti-bullying policy
- underlying values and school ethos
- cross-curricular approach
- training and staff development
- prevention strategies
- reporting and response strategies
A whole-school approach, along with school leadership, needs to be monitored and reviewed on a regular basis.
Whole-school or setting anti-bullying resources:
A whole-school approach to writing or refreshing your anti-bullying policy: a resource for schools.