Hawar International School established Bahrain’s first collaborative Safeguarding Network and Steering Group, locally contextualising global best practices to protect students.

Please share a brief background of your innovation.

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 HawarInternational School decided to become part of the solution.

How was the innovation planned?

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 Ativion.

Ativion 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.

What were the challenges faced during implementation?

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.

Give us a brief assessment of your results.

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.

In hindsight, what were the most valuable lessons learned while implementing theinnovation? Could things have been done differently?

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.