Call to change anti-bullying law

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Call to change anti-bullying law

21 September 2009

This weekend, the BBC reported on a bid by education lawyers to strengthen anti-bullying laws. There has been particular focus placed on the bullying of children with special needs, as per the ad campaign on TV. Vernon Coaker, the Schools Minister, referred to a bill in Parliament at present that further addresses these issues.

There are many ways in which bullying can be addressed and resolved at school internally. An independent adjudicator, as is being proposed, would only serve to create more paperwork, cost more money and ultimately lead to more confusion - as would parents accessing the LA ombudsman. This, in light of Ed Balls' announcement that he is cutting £2bn worth of education spending, is somewhat conflicting. NAHT say that this move only adds to the already present 'hyper-sensitivity' surrounding parents holding teachers to account.

Though bullying is a serious and very sad issue, could the volume of guidance out there merely be creating an abundance of over-lapping law and regulations?

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