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impacts on its victims' attendance and attainment at school, marginalises those groups who may be
particular targets for bullies and can have a life-long negative impact on some young people's lives.

The Risks of Bullying to the Victims: Why is it important to respond to bullying?
Bullying can occur through several types of anti-social behaviour. A feature of bullying in schools is that
is existence is not always immediately known or suspected by those in authority. Although bullying itself
is not a specific criminal act in the UK, some types of harassing or threatening behaviour or
communications could be a criminal offence; for example, under the Protection from Harassment Act
1997, the malicious Communications Act 1988, the Communications Act 2003 and the Public order Act
1986. If our staff consider that an offence may have been committed, we will seek assistance from the

police. It conflicts sharply with the school’s policy on equal opportunities, as well as with its social and
moral principles.

Cyber-bullying
The rapid development of, and widespread access to, technology has provided a new medium for ‘virtual’
bullying, which can occur in or outside our school. Cyber-bullying is a different form of bullying and can
happen at all times of the day, with a potentially bigger audience, and more accessories as people

forward on content at a click. The wider search powers included in the Education Act 2011 give teachers
stronger powers to tackle cyber-bullying by providing a specific power to search for and, if necessary,
delete inappropriate images (or files) on electronic devices, including mobile phones. Separate advice
on teachers’ powers to search (including statutory guidance on dealing with electronic devices) is
available. For more information on how to respond to cyber-bullying and how Students can keep
themselves safe, please refer to the Childnet International link under ‘further resources’. Preventing and

tackling bullying Advice for headteachers, staff and governing bodies, October 2014.

In accordance with legislative requirements we have a whole school approach to e-safety. This includes
annual update training for staff regarding e-safety. To support our parents/carers in their education of
online safety, the school also organises annually an awareness session for parents with regards to e-
safety. We expect all Students to adhere to the safe use of the internet as detailed in our e-Safety Policy.
The active management of hardware, software and connectivity and vigilance of teachers and parents

has an active part to play in the protection of Students from Cyber-Bullying incidents.

Students will have access to technologies that have both positive and negative potential. Our policy of
the use of technology within the school setting and beyond is understood and respected by staff and it
is important the students and the wider school community also respect this policy. Within our e-safety
policy, we have clearly defined roles and responsibilities for online safety as part of the school’s wider
safeguarding strategy and how this links with our main safeguarding policy (please refer to Safeguarding
Child Protection policy cited in related documents). There are reporting mechanisms available for all

users to report issues and concerns to the school and how they are managed and/or escalated (please
refer to e-safety policy including ICT acceptable use policy). The management of all personal data is in
line with statutory requirements.

What to look for – Signs and Symptoms of Bullying
Students who are being bullied may show changes in behaviour, such as becoming shy and nervous,
feigning illness, taking unusual absences or clinging to adults. There may be evidence of changes in

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Rasami British International School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students
and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. It is our aim that all students fulfil their potential.