§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to tackle bullying in schools. [187710]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisWe take all bullying seriously and attach great importance to tackling it.
In November 2003, I launched the "Make The Difference" campaign at the first of a programme of conferences for headteachers. The campaign includes a public information film, "Tell Someone", to encourage children who are being bullied to tell someone and the Anti-Bullying Charter for Schools. We have also funded the Anti-Bullying Alliance to maintain the momentum of the campaign.
The Anti-Bullying Alliance will:
work with teachers, schools and local education authorities to promote anti-bullying best practice across all schools, including the use of peer support schemes;develop innovative, practical approaches to tackling bullying, including the modern menace of bullying by text messaging, email and Internet chat;provide support for parents in severe cases of bullying, including referrals across the Alliance's regional and national network, where all other avenues to resolve the bullying have been exhausted;develop and oversee anti-bullying resources and information for schools and parents, including an anti-bullying website containing practical support and advice; andrun an annual national anti-bullying week of events and activities to teach young people that all forms of bullying are wrong and promote active ways in which to show no tolerance to it.