Headteachers’ leaders say they are not convinced that increased government funding for schools since last year goes far enough to allow them to combat bullying.
The Department for Education has announced £1.1 million in funding to support schools and colleges to tackle all forms of bullying.
But heads’ leaders have highlighted the challenges faced by schools as a result of what they describe as the government’s “failure to sufficiently fund the education system over the past decade”.
The Association of School and College Leaders says that this has made it more difficult for schools to provide pastoral care to deal with the issue.
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Julie McCulloch, ASCL’s director of policy said: “We welcome funding for programmes to support schools in the work they do to combat all forms of bullying and to educate young people about respect and safety.
“There is a broader need for improved funding for schools and colleges in general so that they are able to afford to provide the pastoral care and specialist support that is a vital part of this work.
“The government’s failure to sufficiently fund the education system over the past decade has made it very difficult to sustain this provision at the level required, despite the best efforts of schools and colleges.
“While the extra investment in education committed by the government since 2020 is welcome, we are not convinced that this goes far enough.”
The DfE has said that the latest funding boost will go towards projects and programmes that tackle bullying, including LGBT+, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and victims of hate-related bullying.
The department said that more than £3.5 million has already been provided to charities and organisations to prevent bullying.
Funding has been provided earlier this year to prevent sexual bullying in schools, amid “rape culture” concerns linked to thousands of allegations of peer-to-peer sex abuse received by the Everyone’s Invited website.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union, said the rise of online bullying was a particular concern.
He added: “The growth in popularity of social media among young people has created a whole new set of challenges that go way beyond the school gate.
“Online bullying can do enormous harm, and far more needs to be done by both government and social media companies themselves to protect young people.
“Schools have a vital role to play when it comes to preventing and tackling bullying of all types but they cannot do it alone. We need parents, government and social media companies to all to play their part to protect and educate children and young people.”
Mike Freer, equalities minister, said: “Bullying, especially when it targets an innate characteristic like being LGBT, is particularly damaging and distressing to children. It is vital we stamp it out and equip our brilliant teachers to do so effectively.
“Every child has the right to be themselves and thrive at school. I look forward to meeting some of these organisations to hear more about their work.”
Will Quince, children and families minister, said: “Bullying in any form is unacceptable and can have a devastating effect on children, young people and their families. It is so important that we all take a stand against bullying so we can help create safe and inclusive places for young people both in schools and online.
“It’s crucial that our children and young people know how to treat one another with respect and celebrate one another’s differences. That’s why we are supporting organisations leading in the way with providing schools with specialist support and training for thousands of teachers to help respond to any concerns and to make sure bullying never prevents any young person from fulfilling their potential.”
