BBC News Online: Education

Conference to tackle bullying

School governors, head teachers and education officers were among those at the event aimed at encouraging schools to value diversity as a way of preventing bullying.

Homophobic bullying was on a list of subjects tackled by speakers at the conference, organised by the Association of London Government (ALG) and Gay London Policing (GALOP).

Prejudice against pupils because of race, religion or disability was also discussed.

'Abolish Section 28'

Speaking before the conference, an ALG spokesman said it had been organised to "identify how promoting diversity strategies to combat bullying can work in practice.

"It will examine different approaches and provide good practice models that teachers, governors, parents and policy makers will be able to discuss, take away and adapt."

The event was held as the row over the government's attempts to repeal Section 28, which prevents local authorities from promoting homosexuality, rumbles on.

The ALG spokesman said conference organisers were keen to stress the event was being held to "look into all forms of bullying".

But he added: "Most local authorities in London would like to see it abolished. They feel pupils should be given a good, balanced view of society.

"The less they are taught about homosexuality at school, the more they are likely to pick up outside school, which is less likely to be balanced."

Tracey Hind of GALOP, a charity whose work includes trying to combat violence against gays, lesbians and bisexuals, and monitoring the police's response to harassment of members of the gay community, was one of the speakers booked for the conference.