Bullying – an issue for every school

Bullying – an issue for every school
Tuesday 27 March 2007

Commenting on the Education Select Committee’s report on bullying, Steve Sinnott, General Secretary of Britain’s biggest teachers’ organisation, said:

“I welcome the Select Committee’s tough report on bullying. It blights the lives of  those subjected to it whether they are children or staff.

“Cyber bullying brings a profoundly disturbing new aspect to bullying. The Government should convene a high level meeting with internet service providers to explore ways of blocking sites which allow cyber bullying to happen.

“While the Government has issued some good advice on targeting prejudice driven bullying, it should be given a much higher profile.

“The Select Committee’s finding on special needs bullying is deeply disturbing. It highlights the need to review inclusive educational practice. The inclusion of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools is being carried out without sufficient preparation and resources.

“Requiring schools to record incidents of bullying can only be a first step. All schools should be funded sufficiently to provide trained counsellors to help staff follow up incidents of bullying.”

Commenting on the Education Select Committee’s report on bullying, Steve Sinnott, General Secretary of Britain’s biggest teachers’ organisation, said:

“I welcome the Select Committee’s tough report on bullying. It blights the lives of  those subjected to it whether they are children or staff.

“Cyber bullying brings a profoundly disturbing new aspect to bullying. The Government should convene a high level meeting with internet service providers to explore ways of blocking sites which allow cyber bullying to happen.

“While the Government has issued some good advice on targeting prejudice driven bullying, it should be given a much higher profile.

“The Select Committee’s finding on special needs bullying is deeply disturbing. It highlights the need to review inclusive educational practice. The inclusion of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools is being carried out without sufficient preparation and resources.

“Requiring schools to record incidents of bullying can only be a first step. All schools should be funded sufficiently to provide trained counsellors to help staff follow up incidents of bullying.”