The other recommendation is aimed at governing bodies: include digital resilience in safety policies. Not all risks can be managed, so safety policies should focus not only on identifying risks, but also on response and recovery, as well as cooperation with other governing bodies.

Background

Education is generally safe: most pupils and students feel safe, and schools usually meet the legal requirements. Nevertheless, safety is not a static concept. Social and technological developments are making schools’ responsibilities more complex. The boundaries between offline and online are becoming blurred, meaning that unsafe situations no longer clearly arise inside or outside the school. Young people are constantly exposed to information and images online, which increases the responsibility of education and makes it harder to define. A possible measure, such as a ban on social media for young people under 15, could help establish clearer boundaries.

There are concerns about an increase in physical violence at schools. The number of reports of suspensions and expulsions due to violence has risen. Although this may partly be due to a greater willingness to report incidents, the impact remains significant. Violence often also has an online component. Cooperation between schools, parents, the police and other partners is therefore essential. Schools must also consistently enforce rules of conduct and regularly evaluate their safety policies.

In terms of psychological and social safety, most young people are doing well, but some experience stress and anxiety. Vulnerable groups, such as LGBTQIA+ pupils, face an increased risk of unsafe situations and bullying. Schools must therefore actively promote inclusion, knowledge of young people’s online world and clear guidelines for dealing with bullying. This requires coordination within school teams and the strengthening of citizenship education.

Digital safety is becoming increasingly important. Cyberattacks and data breaches can disrupt education and damage trust. Institutions must invest in technical measures, awareness and digital skills. Smaller institutions in particular struggle to free up sufficient capacity for this. New legislation and attention to digital literacy should contribute to a safer learning environment.

Read The State of Education 2026 here. Chapter 5 on Safety: pages 86 to 100.