What should I do if my child is bullied in a British school? The 4-step path to safeguarding rights that Chinese parents must know
Last week, a Chinese mother cried in a group: her 11-year-old daughter was repeatedly teased about her accent and pushed her school bag by her classmates in a public middle school in London. The child was afraid to go to school and her grades plummeted. She went to the head teacher, and the reply she received was, "We will pay attention to minor conflicts between children" - and then nothing happened.
This is not an isolated case. A 2018 OECD survey showed that 29% of British secondary school principals had received reports of physical or non-physical bullying by students, much higher than the OECD average of 14%. For Chinese children whose language, culture, and appearance are "different", the risk of bullying is higher - but what many parents don't know is that British law gives you a clear right to complain and relief channels, and it is by no means "just tolerate it and get over it."
⚖️ Anti-bullying in British schools: It is not a "suggestion", it is a legal obligation
All schools in the UK must have a behavior policy that clearly outlines measures to prevent all forms of bullying, including cyberbullying. Headteachers of state schools and colleges must have a written anti-bullying policy and make it public to parents.
This means:
✓ School must take the initiative to prevent bullying, and cannot wait for something to happen before "paying attention" to
✓ Bullying complaints must be documented and have clear handling procedures
✓ Certain bullying behaviors (such as threats, harassment) may constitute criminal offenses, and the school needs to report to the police
✓ When bullying reaches a level where "children suffer or are likely to suffer significant harm", the school must report it to the local government's children's social care department
The UK Department of Education defines bullying as repeated behavior carried out by an individual or group with the intention of causing physical or emotional harm to others. Including targeted bullying related to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and cyberbullying.
📋 Step one: Complain within the school - seize the golden processing period
After discovering that your child is being bullied, it is crucial for to file a written complaint to as soon as possible. Many Chinese parents are accustomed to "observe first and communicate privately", resulting in missing the best period for obtaining evidence.
Immediate action list:
1️⃣ record evidence
• Child’s statement (date, location, perpetrator, witnesses, specific actions)
• Photos of body injuries and damaged items
• Social media screenshots, text message records (cyberbullying)
• Child's mood/behavioral changes (e.g., refusal to go to school, nightmares, declining grades)
2️⃣ written complaint (email or formal letter)
Recipient: Class Teacher + CC Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Title reads "Formal Complaint: Bullying Incident"
• List timeline, evidence, impact on children
• Clear requirements: investigation, protective measures (such as adjusting seats/classes), dealing with perpetrators, written response time limit (usually 10-15 working days required)
3️⃣ requested to meet
Within 3-5 working days after making a complaint, request an interview with the school (you can bring a translator or a friend as a witness) to confirm the school’s investigation plan and timetable.
⚠️ Never suspend your child from school due to bullying! Unauthorized absences will be recorded as "unauthorized absence" and parents may be prosecuted for failing to ensure that their children attend school. The correct approach is to ask the school to provide "alternative education arrangements" or temporary protective measures in the complaint letter.
🔺 Step 2: Escalate the complaint - find the right "final judge"
If the school is perfunctory, delays or mishandles the matter, you have the right to complain to a higher level. Channels vary by school type:
📍 Public School (State School):
→ Complain to the School Board (Board of Governors / Governing Body)
→ Still not satisfied, contact the local authority (Local Authority)
→ In extreme cases (such as systemic failure of the school), you can contact Ofsted or DfE
📍 Independent School:
→ Submit a formal complaint to the school’s Complaints Panel
→ If you are not satisfied with the result, you can complain to the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)
📍 University/College (for students over 18 years old):
First go through the school's internal complaint procedure (usually available on the official website). After exhausting the school's remedies, you can appeal to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) for Higher Education. The OIA is an independent body established by the Higher Education Act 2004 to adjudicate complaints for university students in England and Wales free of charge.
🛡️ Step 3: Seek external support – you are not alone
During the complaint process, these organizations can provide substantial help:
🔹 Student Union/Parent Association
The Students' Union (Students' Union) of universities and colleges can provide students with advice and represent complaints; the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of primary and secondary schools can exert collective pressure.
🔹UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)
UKCISA is an independent charity that supports international students, providing free consultation on visas, fees, employment, etc. If international students encounter campus problems, they can call its advice hotline +44 20 7788 9214.
🔹 Anti-bullying charity
• Anti-Bullying Alliance: unites more than 60 organizations, and the official website has a parent help guide
• Childline: 0800 1111 (24-hour children’s helpline, children can talk anonymously)
• The Diana Award Anti-Bullying Campaign: Provides school training and mediation services
🔹 Legal Aid
If bullying results in serious physical or mental harm, consider:
• Contact a professional Education Law Solicitor to assess the possibility of a claim
• Report to the police (racial hatred, personal attacks, online threats, etc. may be suspected of criminal offenses)
• Apply for Legal Aid – low-income families may be eligible
💡 Step 4: Protect children’s mental health - more important things than "winning"
The rights protection process may take several months, and the child's emotional recovery cannot wait. NHS in the UK provides free mental health services (CAMHS, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) for children and adolescents. GPs can make referrals; you can also contact the school's pastoral care team to apply for support from a school counselor.
Some Chinese parents worry that "complaining will isolate their children." However, experience shows that clear and professional rights protection can actually make schools take it seriously and make perpetrators restrain themselves. The British Ministry of Education's guidelines emphasize that anti-bullying work in schools should not start with "children being bullied". The best schools will proactively collect conflicting information among students and prevent conflicts from occurring - your complaint is an opportunity to promote school improvement.
If you are worried about your child's visa and permanent residence calculation (for example, will the child's frequent return to the country due to bullying affect his permanent residence?), you can use 永居计算器APP to accurately calculate the entry and exit records, or add our licensed lawyer WeChat uklvshi to inquire about the specific situation.
💬 Interactive topic: Have you or your Chinese friends encountered campus bullying? Are you satisfied with the school's handling? Welcome to share your experience in the comment area to help more parents avoid detours.
⚖️ Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a licensed attorney or relevant agency for specific cases.
📚 Data source:
1. House of Commons Library - Bullying in UK Schools (2026)
2. GOV.UK - Preventing and Tackling Bullying Guidance
3. Office of the Independent Adjudicator - www.oiahe.org.uk
📚 Data source
· https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8812/