Written question asked by Mark Hoban (Conservative) on Tuesday, 11 October 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 14 October 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 October 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Bullying

Question: (2) what plans she has to review the guidance issued by the Department on the role of punishment in tackling bullying;

Answer: [holding answer 14 October 2005]: My officials have recently held discussions with the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) on this matter. In these discussions the Government's belief that bullying should always be punished has been made clear.The ABA is re-framing its advice to make it clear that it is exclusion not punishment that should be seen as a last resort.Bullying is always unacceptable and should always be punished.The ““Bullying: Don't Suffer in Silence”” packs issued by the Department contain clear guidance on appropriate sanctions to deal with bullying.Possible sanctions include, removal from the group/class, withdrawal from break and lunchtime privileges, carrying out a useful task in the school, detention, withholding participation in school trips and events not essential to the curriculum, and fixed period exclusion.Where serious real or threatened violence is involved, the head teacher can permanently exclude the pupil. To further enforce this appeal panels and governing bodies have been advised that they should not normally seek to overrule such a decision on appeal.The Department's advice pack, Don't Suffer in Silence, last updated in September 2002, is currently being reviewed to ensure that our advice that bullying should always be punished is sufficiently clear.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 18166; 437 c951-2W;437 c927-8W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Bullying
Tuesday, 18 October 2005
Written questions
House of Commons; Bullying
Tuesday, 18 October 2005
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Bullying Pupils Schools