Schools: Bullying

Baroness Howe of Idlicote Excerpts

Thursday 16th May 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

I am not aware of that centre’s work but I would be grateful if the noble Baroness could advise me of it. We will definitely look at further such facilities.

[Baroness Howe of Idlicote]

My Lords, bullying is rampant throughout our society—even, it would appear, in areas such as the BBC, as we have heard via the media. Given that prevention is better than cure, as everybody has stressed, what practical steps are being taken to ensure not only that playground or classroom bullying is classified as absolutely unacceptable but that every school is required to eliminate it? Will the Government publish a document giving examples of how this has already been successfully achieved in some areas?

[Lord Nash]

We should consider that. We have tightened teachers’ disciplinary powers, including their powers to search and confiscate, for instance, mobile phones and remove inappropriate material, and, particularly, to search for text bullying. We are continuing to focus on these areas.