Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Bullying in Schools

Monday 17 July 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department has provided over 3 million in funding to five anti-bullying organisations from August 2021 to March 2024.
  • The behaviour hubs programme is spreading best practice and helping schools create positive environments, with an interim impact assessment report due in 2024.
  • The Minister offered to review and discuss Rachael Maskell's ten-minute rule Bill on bullying and respect at work.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrea Leadsom Con
Education Mental Health
Context

The question arises from the concern over bullying incidents in schools and the need for effective measures to address this issue.

Question

What recent steps has the Department taken to tackle bullying in schools? I am concerned about the impact of bullying on children's mental health and safety.

Answer from Claire Coutinho

All children should have access to a calm, safe and supportive school environment. In addition to school behaviours policies that must include measures to prevent bullying, we have provided more than £3 million in funding between August 2021 and March 2024 to five anti-bullying organisations supporting schools in tackling bullying.

Answered
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Q2 Andrea Leadsom Con
Education
Context

The question follows up on the initial query about steps taken to tackle bullying, focusing specifically on how behaviour hubs are making a difference and tackling online harms.

Question

I congratulate my hon. Friend for all her work tackling bullying. So many constituents write to me about the problems their children are experiencing. How are the behaviour hubs making a difference in schools and tackling the bullying that is so prevalent, particularly as a result of online harms and social media, which are all too frequent?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

We are confident that the behaviour hubs programme is helping schools to create calm, understanding and positive environments by spreading best practice. The behaviour hubs programme is being evaluated and impact assessed. We will publish an interim report in 2024.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific evaluation findings not provided; only promise of future publication

How: Under Review

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Q3 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Employment
Context

The question addresses a new Bill introduced to protect teachers and other staff from bullying in the workplace.

Question

Last week I introduced by ten-minute rule Bill on bullying and respect at work. It is not just children who experience bullying in the school environment but teachers and other staff. Will the Minister look at my Bill, which will establish a legal definition of bullying at work and a route to employment tribunal to protect the people who are looking after our children in our schools?

Answer from Claire Coutinho

I have not seen the hon. Lady's Bill, but I would be happy to take a look and have a discussion with her.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment to review or implement specific aspects of the Bill

How: Will Discuss

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