How to Prevent Identity-Based Bullying in Schools 

Every child deserves to feel safe and respected at school, yet some are at far greater risk of bullying simply because of a core aspect of their identity. According to Ditch the Label’s Bullying Survey 2020, 6% of students who had been bullied, reported that it was due to race, 5% because of cultural background, 5% for their religion, 7% for a disability, 11% due to sexual orientation, and 4% because of their gender identity.  

These statistics highlight the prevalence of identity-based bullying, which is defined as ‘a range of hurtful behaviour, both physical and psychological that makes a person feel unwelcome, marginalised, excluded, powerless or worthless because of a core aspect of their identity.’ These core aspects may include race, religion, sexual orientation, sex, age, gender identity and disability.  

Schools are not only morally responsible but legally bound to create safe, inclusive, and respectful environments that actively prevent and address bullying and discrimination. Here are some effective strategies to help prevent identity-based bullying in schools. 

Implement Effective Reporting Systems

Schools should ensure that staff and pupils are empowered to report all incidents of bullying to ensure each case is properly logged and addressed. To support this, clear and accessible reporting systems should be established, outlined within school policies, and communicated to staff and students.

Designating trusted adults specifically for anti-bullying can help students feel more comfortable and confident reporting incidents. Additionally, anonymous reporting options, such as worry boxes or online forms, can reduce stress for some students and increase the likelihood that they will report incidents.

Analyse Data

Regularly analysing data to identify patterns and bullying hotspots within the school can give staff valuable insights, enabling them to tackle specific issues, monitor areas more closely and implement strategies to prevent further incidents.

Regularly surveying pupils can also provide valuable insights into their experiences, helping to identify issues and develop strategies to prevent and address bullying.

Strengthen Policies and Promote Online Safety

A comprehensive anti-bullying policy is essential for guiding the school’s approach to bullying. It is important that this specifically covers prejudice-related incidents and is easily accessible to staff and students. Consider including young people in the development of your anti-bullying policy, and developing a pupil friendly version to increase their buy-in and ensure it is clear and understandable to them.

In today’s digital age, educating and incorporating an online safety policy in schools is essential to protect students from risks such as online bullying and harassment. This e-safety policy should outline rules and guidelines for ICT use, provide strategies for preventing and addressing cyberbullying, and clarify the roles and responsibilities of the school community.

EqualiTeach Empowered offers various policy templates for schools to adapt and use.  

Engage Parents and Carers

Schools should actively engage parents and carers in discussions about bullying, fostering a collaborative approach to ensuring a safer environment both within and outside the school gates. Involving parents and carers in the development of anti-bullying policies and keeping them informed of any updates helps ensure they know how to support their children and who to contact if they suspect their child is being bullied.

You could also consider running workshops for parents and carers. For example, workshops that equip parents and carers with the tools to protect their children online and raise awareness about the growing issue of cyberbullying. These workshops are often extremely well received and provide valuable insights for all participants.

Encourage Allyship

Building a supportive environment among pupils is key to preventing bullying. Implementing a buddy system is an effective way to encourage allyship. It helps students who may feel isolated build friendships, reducing opportunities for bullying.

Appointing anti-bullying ambassadors can also empower young people to be allies and take an active role in preventing and tackling bullying. Not only can they provide useful information into what’s happening on the ground, but they can also serve as great role models, influencing others to stand against bulling and not be bystanders. EqualiTeach’s Agents for Change programmes support students to become active citizens in tackling bullying.

Educate Staff and Students

Ensure that all staff, particularly those who deal with bullying incidents, have the knowledge and confidence to address prejudice-related issues with young people. Students are more likely to confide in staff who feel comfortable discussing these topics, as it helps them feel safe and supported. Open discussions or staff surveys can help identify areas for improvement and highlight knowledge gaps, allowing for training to be arranged where needed.

Educating students about racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination is crucial for helping them recognise prejudice and unacceptable behaviour. It’s important to ensure that students understand their rights, including the right to feel safe, be themselves, and speak up when something feels wrong. Additionally, educating students about different identities at an early age encourages an understanding of both their own and others’ backgrounds, creating empathy and acceptance.

Visibly Celebrate and Promote Diversity and Inclusion

Celebrating and promoting diversity needs to be part of your day-to-day activity. Displays and posters serve as ongoing reminders of the school’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Additionally, holding assemblies that reinforce the school’s values around inclusion and anti-bullying and celebrating different identities through events and awareness days are effective ways to create a sense of belonging and ensure these principles are consistently communicated to students.

However, inclusion must go beyond one-off events and extra-curricular activities. Incorporating diverse representation into the curriculum is key in developing pupils’ understanding of the wider world and fostering a sense of belonging, as students will learn how all people have contributed to the world and will be able to see their own identities reflected in what they learn.

By integrating these strategies into the school environment, you can proactively prevent and address identity-based bullying. From promoting allyship and educating staff and students, to celebrating diversity, each step plays an important role in creating an inclusive and respectful learning environment. EqualiTeach offers tailored training and workshops to support schools to implement this work effectively. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.