Systemic harm refers to harm produced by the design or operation of institutional systems rather than by a single individual’s actions. In schools, systemic harm can arise from policies, resource allocation decisions, or institutional cultures that consistently disadvantage certain groups of students. Examples may include chronic under-support for disabled students, exclusionary disciplinary practices, or processes that make it difficult for families to access support. Systemic harm often becomes visible through patterns rather than isolated events. Recognising systemic harm helps shift discussions away from individual blame and toward examining how systems themselves may need to change.