“Alarm bells” are ringing as the shocking extent of bullying in Angus schools has been laid bare.
A new report to go before Angus Council revealed three in four (75%) school pupils say they have witnessed someone being bullied while 84% of staff said they have seen bullying behaviour in school.
It was compiled from a survey of 533 primary school children, 955 secondary pupils, 206 staff and 823 parents was carried out as part of the revision of the council’s anti-bullying policy.
The local authority’s revised anti-bullying policy – which states that using ‘labels’ such as ‘victim’ and ‘bully’ should be avoided – will be put to members of the children and learning committee for approval.
The document will go before councillors in Forfar on Tuesday following a number of recent high-profile episodes which included two Arbroath Academy pupils being charged after a 12-year-old boy needed emergency dental surgery after being punched and kicked in the face.
The boy’s mum said: “It makes you wonder what the figures would have been if they had asked every pupil and every staff member in Angus.
“84% of teachers say they have seen bullying in schools – that alone should set alarm bells ringing.
“The teachers are almost scared of the children because they don’t have the powers to tackle the bullies.
“Telling staff to avoid using the term ‘bully’ to spare their feelings is laughable – what else can you possibly call them but a bully?”
The survey found 51% of pupils said they had been bullied themselves.
Only 41% of young people thought the bullying was resolved.
And 58% of parents said their child had been a victim of bullying with online bullying the type that concerned them most.
The revised policy would mean all schools would develop their own anti-bullying policy by December 2020 and ensure that it is reviewed every three years.
Allegations and complaints would also have to be responded to and reported within five working days of notification.
Bullying behaviour allegations and incidents would also have to be recorded through the SEEMiS Bullying and Equalities module where available.
The data would be monitored regularly by Angus Council to “help identify trends and patterns, specific issues around equality and diversity and help schools and the local authority to guide improvements in practice”.
Staff have also been told to “listen and take children and young people seriously”.
Education director Kelly McIntosh said: “This policy was developed in partnership with parents/carers, children, young people and other agencies through online questionnaire and a multi-agency steering group.
“Currently, our schools use a range of strategies to proactively encourage children and young people to report incidents and suspected incidents of bullying.
“These include whole school assemblies, making procedures accessible on the school website, themed anti-bullying weeks, displays and newsletters, confidential comments boxes and peer mediation.”
The policy has been drawn up after taking into consideration recommendations from the Think Before You Type anti-bullying campaign which is led by a group of 16 young people from across Angus.
Law change demands after string of incidents
There were a string of high-profile bullying incidents in January which prompted calls for a law change.
A 12-year-old Arbroath Academy pupil had to undergo emergency dental surgery following a violent attack by school bullies.
The boy’s front tooth broke off after he was punched and kicked by his attackers during the onslaught which was watched by an estimated 100 pupils.
Two pupils were charged by the police after the footage was shared across social media platforms.
The victim’s mum took the matter up with education secretary John Swinney in the wake of the incident.
She said the current maximum suspension limit of 45 days in any one school year was “ludicrous” and demanded a change in the law through which persistent offenders can be removed from school permanently.
The incident happened just weeks after a girl was filmed being dragged along a corridor by her hair in a 42-second clip shot inside Carnoustie High School.
Police launched an investigation after the footage was shared online and more than 8,000 people signed a petition calling for bullying to be made a criminal offence.
A 12-year-old girl was later charged in relation to the assault at the school and a report was sent to the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration.
A 14-year-old Forfar Academy pupil also needed hospital treatment after allegedly being attacked from behind by three classmates.
The victim suffered minor injuries and school staff met with the family and took steps to provide support.
The matter was also reported to the police.
