Crackdown on school bullying

Crackdown on school bullying

'Telling' should not be made difficult, the government says

Schools are to do more to overcome the "indignity and distress" of bullying, the government has announced.

Education minister Ivan Lewis promised more funding for anti-bullying programmes and better communication between victims and teachers.

Under the £470m Behaviour and Attendance programme, specialist consultants will also help local education authorities.

Mr Lewis's comments came after the education watchdog Ofsted said schools had to develop a sustained approach to defeating bullying.

Mr Lewis said: "Bullying is a blight on us all. It is painful and degrading for the victim, and tarnishes not only the reputation of the school but also the wider community.

"I am determined to do more to spare young people the indignity and distress of bullying.

'Need to listen early'

"We have taken important steps to tackle it, ensuring that all schools draw up anti-bullying policies using detailed information packs, videos and online resources.

"But policy is not enough. The key issue is to listen early and listen always to what young people are telling us about bullying."

The Ofsted research concludes that, while many young people rate their schools as "very good" or "quite good" in their anti-bullying work, more could be done.

Mr Lewis said: "We plan to issue new guidance to schools and local education authorities on holding consultations with pupils.

"The issues will include how bullying should be tackled in their schools and ensuring that 'telling' does not rebound on a victim.

"All young people need to have access to sources of help and advice both within and outside school."

Shadow education secretary Damian Green called on the government to abolish appeals panels, which "too often bring disruptive children back into school".

He added: "Ofsted is right that the effectiveness of a school's anti-bullying policy depends on the continuing commitment of the head and staff.

"We also advocate allowing heads to use legally backed contracts with parents, which could set out the school's policy on bullying and ensure parental involvement in making it stick."