Memorandum submitted by Norfolk Governors
Network
In the early 90's the DfES recognised the prevalence
of bullying in schools. In 1994, an anti-bullying pack was issued
to schools and schools were required to have some form of anti-bullying
policy. An evaluation of the initiative (RBX06-03) was carried
out in 2003 which found that:
— Most schools found the pack helpful
in devising a policy.
— In primary schools the pack was usually
located in the staff room while in secondaries it was the Head's
office.
— Few teachers had actually seen the
pack (and even fewer had seen the accompanying video).
— The most highly rated intervention
at both primary and secondary levels was "circle time".
Independent research, also in 2003 and commissioned
by Childline, by the Thomas Coram Unit of London University, confirmed
that bullying is widespread but some schools are particularly
effective in preventing it becoming endemic. Their conclusions
were that:
— Use of mobile phones for bullying
is emerging.
— The three most effective responses
were friendship network support, pursuing an avoidance strategy
and learning to "to stand up for yourself".
— Teachers and parents could not protect
children from retaliation and "whole-school involvement"
was often a more effective antidote.
The recommendations of the London University
research, though now three years old, were informed by the practical
experience of Esther Rantzen' childline and should be considered
as by the Committee as still very relevant. In addition, Committee
members might also give thought to environmental encouragement
of bullying behaviour inherent in:
— Schools built without sufficient
classrooms for teachers to come to the pupils rather than each
lesson change leading to a free-for-all melee in the corridors
and staircases.
— Schools obliged to realise assets
and dispose of playing fields (no longer in use for team games)
leading to ant-heap-like overcrowding in breaks.
September 2006
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