Education_BH: Innovation and Excellence celebrates the remarkable innovations implemented in Bahrain’s schools and universities. We learned about these innovations, the process, the challenges, and the lessons learned from some of the leading educational institutions in the Kingdom.
Read all about Hawar International School‘s innovation below.
Hawar International School established Bahrain’s first collaborative Safeguarding Network and Steering Group, locally contextualising global best practices to protect students. In partnership with UK experts and Atvion software, the initiative fosters cross-school collaboration and real-time digital monitoring to address the unique safety challenges within Bahrain’s educational ecosystem.
Safeguarding, although a buzzword and a ticked box, has never been locally contextualised. The challenges each individual school faces are unique to its ecosystem. It was with this in mind that Hawar International School decided to become part of the solution.
We looked at best practice from the UK, which is seen as the global leading light in this space and found Victoria Raynor, who had set up a DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) network that had organically grown from just a handful of schools to over 100. The innovation grew from a conversation into a steering group, and its first meeting was in June 2025.
The meeting went exceptionally well as colleagues from other schools combined to bring experience, knowledge and solution-focused best practice to the table. From there, we decided to hold a conference in November 2025. We all discussed how the space had changed – the digital space is especially dangerous, hence the collaboration also partnered with Atvion.
Ativon are a software solution that supports both homes and schools in monitoring internet use- this information can then be provided in real time to DSLs to support safeguarding work.
Engaging all schools to see collaboration in Safeguarding as a must and not competition, ensuring that all staff are adequately trained in all areas of the school, we also needed to educate the parents and explain our policy. Our main focus remains the protection of children, contextually under the laws and guidance of Bahrain
The inaugural meeting was a huge success, and Hawar International School is proud to be at the forefront of this innovation. We had the pleasure of meeting the Minister of Education, Dr Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, to discuss Safeguarding and, in particular, digital safeguarding.
We felt that by launching in June, we had missed a year, but actually, it was the perfect timing, as it has allowed us to gather momentum with other schools in Bahrain.
Is your institution’s information current and accurate? Keep your details up-to-date to boost visibility and connect with prospective students.
Click the link below to add/request an update to your profile
Add/Request