New Anti-Bullying Guidance launched for schools » Central Government » 24dash.com

The National Healthy Schools Programme launches its widely anticipated Anti-Bullying Guidance for Schools this week, to coincide with National Anti-Bullying Week (17 – 21st November).

Produced in partnership with 11 MILLION, the organisation led by the Children’s Commissioner for England, and supported by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, a national coalition of over 60 organisations working to help prevent bullying, the Healthy School’s Anti-Bullying Guidance will provide both primary and secondary schools with the tools and support they need to ensure that all children and young people feel safe in school, and can enjoy childhood free from bullying.

The Guidance for Schools takes a very honest look at the problem of bullying and how it affects children and young people, drawing together key evidence on anti-bullying practice including research by academics at the University of York conducted for the Children’s Commissioner for England. The Guidance also incorporates ‘hands on’ practical advice, case studies and reflections from schools themselves, paying particular emphasis to the effectiveness of different anti-bullying approaches.

It will encourage all schools to address the issue as part of a wider approach to improving the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people, and will introduce a range of creative approaches for dealing with all forms of bullying, including cyber-bullying, as well as tools for tackling the fear and stigma surrounding being bullied.

Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green, Children’s Commissioner for England and Head of 11 MILLION, says, “I am delighted to be able to work in partnership with Healthy Schools on this Anti-Bullying Guidance. Bullying can be a stubborn and covert problem that tests the patience and skill of schools to the full. A child’s experience of school, and their ability to enjoy and achieve, to contribute and to be healthy, can be blighted by bullying, so this is something we must get right.

“In this guidance we have drawn on key anti-bullying research so that schools have access to successful practice, along with practical suggestions on how to take this forward in their school.”

Richard Sangster, Head of the National Healthy Schools Programme added, “It is important for all schools to recognize that bullying exists and to work to reduce the frequency, severity and likelihood of bullying incidents at school. A big challenge for schools is that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution; different approaches are successful in different schools.

“It is important for schools to keep the tackling of bullying high on the agenda, and our Anti-Bullying Guidance will provide schools with vital tools to help them do this.”

The Guidance also highlights the minimum criteria which schools must meet in order to demonstrate a clear policy on bullying and to achieve National Healthy School Status.

The Anti-Bullying Guidance will be distributed to all schools and is also available online at: www.healthyschools.gov.uk

For more information about 11 MILLION, please visit: www.11million.org.uk