§ Linda PerhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to reduce bullying in schools. [136590]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisBullying is a serious issue which can affect young people's educational achievement and emotional well-being. The range of measures we are implementing reflects our determination to help schools tackle the problem.
Tackling bullying is covered in the behaviour audit and training materials that we are making available to all secondary and middle schools through our Key Stage 3 strategy. These reinforce and extend the good practice guidance in our anti-bullying pack 'Bullying: Don't Suffer in Silence' and our anti-bullying website (www.dfes.gov.uk/bullying).
I recently launched a new public information film aimed at children and young people. The film is entitled "Tell Someone". It encourages pupils experiencing bullying to tell someone who can help rather than suffering in silence.
Percentage 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 Early Years &Childcare 0.20 0.21 0.20 0.20 0.21 0.22 0.24 Schools, including 6th forms1 2.31 2.34 2.28 2.23 2.16 2.11 2.18 Support for Young People2 0.15 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.15 Further Education, adults etc.3 0.43 0.42 0.42 0.42 0.39 0.40 0.40 Higher Education 0.92 0.93 0.86 0.78 0.74 0.70 0.70 216W
2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 Early Years & Childcare 0.25 0.29 0.30 0.29 0.34 0.36 Schools, including 6th forms1 2.25 2.45 2.54 2.75 2.77 2.84 Support for Young People 2 0.16 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.13 0.14 Further Education, adults etc.3 0.43 0.58 0.63 0.66 0.67 0.67 Higher Education 0.63 0.62 0.63 0.67 0.66 0.68 1 Responsibility for 6th form funding was transferred to the LSC from local authorities in 2002–03. 2 Includes Work Based Training for Young People up to 2000–01. From 2001–02 the resources transferred to the LSC and are included in "Further Education 3 Includes college based learning for young people and, from 2001–02, Work Based Training for Young People. Later this month I will be launching an anti-bullying charter which I hope as many schools as possible will sign and use. The charter is being drawn up in consultation with the professional associations and voluntary sector partners. It will be accompanied by a summary of effective practice to help schools review and enhance their anti-bullying policies.
The charter will be launched at the first of a series of regional conferences. These conferences will involve schools, local education authorities and voluntary organisations. As well as raising awareness, they will celebrate and share good practice in tackling bullying.