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<p>The Government has made preventing and tackling bullying in primary and secondary
schools one of its top priorities by striking a balance between schools' legal requirements,
freedom and accountability.</p><p> </p><p>All schools must have a behaviour policy
with measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils, including that which
occurs online. Schools have the freedom to shape these measures in the context of
their pupils' needs. They are held to account by Ofsted for their effectiveness in
preventing bullying, harassment and discrimination.</p><p> </p><p>Through the Education
Act 2011, we strengthened teachers' powers to discipline pupils for poor behaviour,
including bullying. They can now issue same day detentions, confiscate banned items
and search for, and if necessary delete, inappropriate images on mobile phones which
might be linked to cyberbullying. This advice was updated in February 2014 to make
clear that tough but proportionate sanctions can be deployed to deal with misbehaviour,
which includes bullying. It is published online at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/behaviour-and-discipline-in-schools"
target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/behaviour-and-discipline-in-schools</a></p><p>
</p><p>In 2011, the Government published streamlined advice for schools, reducing
it from 481 pages to just 11 pages to make absolutely clear schools' legal obligations
to prevent and tackle bullying, and clarify teachers' powers to discipline pupils
for unacceptable behaviour. This advice is published online at:</p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying"
target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying</a></p><p>
</p><p>In February 2014, we issued an online leaflet about schools' responsibilities
to support children who are bullied. This contains advice that makes clear that schools
should make appropriate provision for a bullied child's social, emotional and mental
health needs. This advice is also published online at:</p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying"
target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying</a></p><p>
</p><p>To further support schools, in February 2014, the Department produced case
studies showing good practice in how schools manage behaviour and bullying. The case
studies give real life examples of what schools do to identify and respond to bullying.
This is published online at:</p><p><a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/managing-behaviour-and-bullying-in-schools-case-studies"
target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/collections/managing-behaviour-and-bullying-in-schools-case-studies</a></p><p>
</p><p>From September 2014, pupils in all four key stages will be taught about e-safety
as part of the new curriculum. For the first time, schools will be legally required
to teach <br> e-safety to pupils in infant and junior schools. This will empower all
young people to tackle cyberbullying through responsible, respectful and secure use
of technology.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We are also providing £4 million of funding over
two years from spring 2013 to four organisations: Beatbullying, the Diana Award, Kidscape
and the National Children's Bureau, to develop effective initiatives to prevent and
tackle bullying.</p>
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