Bullying
One in five parents has a child who has been bullied in the past year, according to a new survey.
The poll of 1,600 parents, for the umbrella group of England's Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA), suggests bullying is an important issue for 97 per cent.
At the start of the first national anti-bullying week, campaigners said most parents believed more should be done to tackle the problem.
Government Response: Department for Education and Skills
Stephen Twigg, education minister, said: "Bullying creates misery for thousands of children, it is crucial that they know that they are not alone. We want all young people to 'make a stand and wear a band.' Wearing the band will give young people the opportunity to make a visible commitment that they are not prepared to tolerate bullying and will stand by their friends.
"Anti-bullying week builds on the government's 'Make the difference' campaign which has held nine dedicated regional conferences involving over 5,000 headteachers, teachers, pupils and anti-bullying experts to learn the latest anti-bullying techniques and share best practice."
Stakeholder Response: Professional Association of Teachers
Jean Gemmell, PAT general secretary, said: "We support the aims of anti-bullying week. Bullying is unacceptable. It can damage children physically and mentally - and educationally if it puts the victims off going to school. No child can progress to his or her full potential if their school experience is being damaged by others.
"Teachers, headteachers and support staff need to be able to work with the government and parents to deal with the behaviour of bullies, and we hope that this week, and its events and resources, will be of great benefit in helping to tackle bullying in our schools.
"However, we have to remember that many people suffer bullying after they've left school. Adults are bullied too. Workplace bullying, where managers intimidate and threaten their staff, or where members of staff bully colleagues, is a growing problem that must be addressed. A 'stop workplace bullying week' would help to raise awareness of this issue.
"Children who see adults victimised can get the impression that intimidation and physical violence are acceptable forms of behaviour and then go on to bully other children, or other adults when they grow up."
Stakeholder Response: NASUWT
Chris Keates, general secretary of NASUWT, said: "NASUWT welcomes and supports this anti-bullying initiative which through the use of well known figures, readily identifiable to young people, will ensure that the profile of this very serious issue is raised.
"It is entirely understandable that parents should be concerned about this issue and that the vast majority surveyed believe schools and teachers require more support in tackling the problem.
"The launch of a high profile anti-bullying week is a positive move in keeping the issue in the public eye and making young people aware of the damage that bullying can cause to children at such an impressionable stage of their lives. However, the public attention on the scourge of bullying must be maintained throughout the year. Schools also need to have easy access to practical support and resources to tackle the problem.
"Children tormented by bullies can be traumatised for life and in certain cases it can lead to tragic consequences. Bullying is unacceptable behaviour which must be met with zero tolerance. I hope that the national anti-bullying week becomes an annual fixture, backed up by high profile activities throughout the year.
"The implementation of school workforce remodelling is bringing more adults into schools and has the very real potential to enable bullying to be tackled through early intervention and support. The remodelling agenda offers a unique and powerful opportunity to make a real impact on what is an unacceptable problem."
Stakeholder Response: 4Children
"4Children believes that some of the most innovative and effective strategies in addressing the issue of bullying are those that put children and young people themselves at the centre of the solution.
"Peer mediation, role play and circle time can all help children to develop their self esteem and assertiveness, as well as increasing their understanding and awareness of each others issues and the causes and consequences of bullying. Where children and young people play a role in collectively adjudicating disputes and settling on resolutions the impact can be very positive for all involved."
Stakeholder Response: ChildLine
Lindsay Gilbert, head of ChildLine in Partnership with Schools, said: "Bullying wrecks lives – it can not only destroy children's happiness but also seriously damages children's capacity for learning and for enjoying school.
"Our volunteer counsellors tell us that the calls they receive about bullying are some of the most painful they encounter at ChildLine.
"While many schools have taken positive steps in recent years to acknowledge that bullying exists and to tackle the problem, as ChildLine's figures show, there is still much to be done.
"We must make a commitment to our young people that whenever bullying occurs it will be dealt with quickly and effectively."
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