§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many children have had to move schools as a result of bullying in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) North Down in each of the past five years; and what steps he is taking to reduce these figures. [150677]
724W
§ Jane KennedyThe Department of Education does not collect information about the number of pupils who move schools as a result of bullying. Parents move their children from one school to another for a variety of reasons, which may include alleged bullying. However, there is no requirement for parents to advise any statutory agency of the reasons for the move. The Department recognises that bullying in whatever form and for whatever reason, have no place in schools. The Department has issued comprehensive guidance to all schools about how to tackle bullying. Further, the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 2003, which came into operation on 1 April 2003, places a duty on all grant-aided schools to have an anti-bullying policy and to draw up measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils.