Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department provides to (a) schools and (b local education authorities on dealing with race-related incidents and hate crime in schools.

Racism has no place in our schools and any incident is unacceptable. All schools are required by law to have a behaviour policy which outlines measures to prevent all forms of bullying.

The Department issues guidance to schools on how to prevent and tackle bullying. This was last updated in July 2017 and outlines the Government’s approach to bullying, the legal obligations and powers schools have, and the principles which underpin the most effective anti-bullying strategies in schools. It provides information on sources of support, including tackling bullying based on race, religion and nationality. This guidance can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying.

The Department has published a research report which details common strategies that schools have found to be effective in combating bullying, along with more detailed case studies showing practical measures taken by schools. The report is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/approaches-to-preventing-and-tackling-bullying.

In January 2016, the Department launched the website www.educateagainsthate.com, jointly with the Home Office, to provide schools with practical advice on protecting children from extremism and radicalisation. The website highlights the main routes to report a hate crime and includes our guidance to schools on promoting the shared values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.

The Department’s guidance is directed towards schools rather than on local authorities, therefore guidance is only issued for schools.