At The ISE we firmly believe that every child has a right to develop physically, mentally, and socially in a safe and secure environment. Effective development and learning are only possible when a child’s physical health, mental well-being, and social needs are positively and proactively stimulated.

We hold that our entire community shares the responsibility for creating the conditions necessary for our students to develop and thrive. As a school we are dedicated to providing effective education and comprehensive support that places a primary focus on our students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being.

The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. We recognise our responsibility to ensure that every student’s rights and best interests are upheld at all times. We commit to acting immediately and decisively whenever safeguarding issues are identified or suspected. Furthermore, we are dedicated to empowering and educating our students about their rights, personal safety, and the clear steps they can take if they encounter a problem. This commitment is supported by rigorous recruitment checks for all applicants for vacancies at our school.

Child protection is the active safeguarding of children from violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect. This vital process involves:

Identifying signs of potential harm.
Responding swiftly and appropriately to all allegations or suspicions of abuse.
Providing necessary support and services to ensure the child’s protection.
Every adult who works with our children, whether directly or indirectly, plays a critical and non-negotiable role in their protection. Children experiencing safeguarding issues must receive immediate help and support, in line with the principles established by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

It is imperative that any abuse or unsafe situation is stopped, and the developmental trajectory of the affected child is promptly rectified and supported. All staff members at The ISE who work with children have a clear responsibility to be fully aware of the signs of different forms of child abuse (mistreatment) and to strictly follow the correct reporting procedures outlined in our formal Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.

The Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy has been developed within the context of:

• The legal expectations in the Netherlands
• The regulation of the Stichting Internationaal Lokaal Funderend Onderwijs (SILFO)
• United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

At The ISE , we are a caring and inclusive school with a fundamental responsibility to protect the well-being of every student in our community. We actively aim to recognise, respect, and celebrate each other’s differences and similarities, viewing positive relationships as a core requirement for overall well-being.

Acts of bullying are against our values and the core principles of respect, care, and inclusion that define our community at The ISE.

Bullying can cause serious, long-term harm to an individual’s physical and mental health and can severely impact their educational attainment and social development. Therefore, we consider it the absolute responsibility of all staff to help create a school environment that is safe, secure, and free from all forms of threat or harassment.

We believe in fostering a community where individuals take responsibility for their actions. Our approach to managing bullying incidents is twofold, focusing on accountability, restoration, and healing:

1. Support for the Victim: Immediate and comprehensive support will be provided to the student targeted by the bullying to ensure their emotional and physical safety and to help them recover.
2. Support and Accountability for the Perpetrator: All acts of bullying will be followed up with appropriate restorative practices and necessary support. This is designed not only to address the harm caused but also to help the student understand the impact of their actions and learn constructive ways to interact within our community.

We are committed to maintaining an atmosphere that allows every student to grow and learn to the best of their abilities in a genuinely safe and welcoming atmosphere.