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03/09/2003
Experts' charter to improve behaviour and reduce bullying in school
Measures to tackle bullying, improve behaviour and cut truancy in schools were unveiled by Education Minister Ivan Lewis today as the Government continued the drive to improve behaviour and attendance in English schools.
A £75 million package of training and expert behaviour and attendance consultants will be rolled out this term to help teachers, and £5 million of specialist curriculum materials, training and group intervention work will also be trialled in 3,500 selected primary schools.
Backing up the message, a hard-hitting information film, 'Tell Someone', is to be broadcast on national television. An anti-bullying charter and a series of regional conferences will provide the focus for the campaign.
Unveiling the new measures, Education Minister Ivan Lewis said: “Tackling bad behaviour in the classroom is essential if we are to raise educational standards and create a greater respect for teachers. It is also central to reducing the anti social behaviour which is damaging people's quality of life in too many communities. We must have a new zero tolerance approach to bullying in our schools. No child should know the indignity and distress of suffering in silence.”
An anti-bullying charter, which will be developed in partnership with professional associations and voluntary organisations, will provide an opportunity for schools to make a commitment to a zero tolerance culture. A series of regional conferences, involving schools, pupils, local education authorities and voluntary organisations, will take place later in the year.
Ofsted is also to issue inspectors with new handbooks that will highlight aspects of good anti-bullying practice in schools.
A spokesperson for the National Association of Head Teachers said that they "strongly supported" an anti-bullying charter to which governors and heads could sign up.
"A charter by itself does not deliver results, because bullying is a notoriously complex and difficult issue to handle. But, if it can drive home the message that bullying needs to be identified and tackled relentlessly, it could achieve a great deal,” he said.
However, while the National Association of Teachers welcomed the drive, the union expressed reservations about the increased workload that would be placed on teachers.
The ongoing Behaviour Improvement Programme indicates that over 17,000 pupils identified as being at risk of exclusion or truancy were now receiving support to tackle their behaviour and attendance problems. Currently running in 34 local education authorities, the £342m programme is to be extended.
Help and advice for children, parents and teachers on tackling bullying is available through www.dfes.gov.uk/bullying and ChildLine.
(SP)
A £75 million package of training and expert behaviour and attendance consultants will be rolled out this term to help teachers, and £5 million of specialist curriculum materials, training and group intervention work will also be trialled in 3,500 selected primary schools.
Backing up the message, a hard-hitting information film, 'Tell Someone', is to be broadcast on national television. An anti-bullying charter and a series of regional conferences will provide the focus for the campaign.
Unveiling the new measures, Education Minister Ivan Lewis said: “Tackling bad behaviour in the classroom is essential if we are to raise educational standards and create a greater respect for teachers. It is also central to reducing the anti social behaviour which is damaging people's quality of life in too many communities. We must have a new zero tolerance approach to bullying in our schools. No child should know the indignity and distress of suffering in silence.”
An anti-bullying charter, which will be developed in partnership with professional associations and voluntary organisations, will provide an opportunity for schools to make a commitment to a zero tolerance culture. A series of regional conferences, involving schools, pupils, local education authorities and voluntary organisations, will take place later in the year.
Ofsted is also to issue inspectors with new handbooks that will highlight aspects of good anti-bullying practice in schools.
A spokesperson for the National Association of Head Teachers said that they "strongly supported" an anti-bullying charter to which governors and heads could sign up.
"A charter by itself does not deliver results, because bullying is a notoriously complex and difficult issue to handle. But, if it can drive home the message that bullying needs to be identified and tackled relentlessly, it could achieve a great deal,” he said.
However, while the National Association of Teachers welcomed the drive, the union expressed reservations about the increased workload that would be placed on teachers.
The ongoing Behaviour Improvement Programme indicates that over 17,000 pupils identified as being at risk of exclusion or truancy were now receiving support to tackle their behaviour and attendance problems. Currently running in 34 local education authorities, the £342m programme is to be extended.
Help and advice for children, parents and teachers on tackling bullying is available through www.dfes.gov.uk/bullying and ChildLine.
(SP)
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