B URY MP Ivan Lewis, the junior education minister, has spoken of the torment he suffered at the hands of school bullies - as he launched a tough new package to crackdown on such behaviour.
Mr Lewis has announced measures which he hopes will ensure bullying is no longer regarded as an inevitable part of school life, but as extremely damaging behaviour which undermines children's confidence, peace of mind and educational performance.
Schools are being urged to adopt a zero tolerance approach and the measures will include specialist bullying consultants being appointed to Bolton Local Education Authority and extra funding for further anti-bullying initiatives.
On a personal level, Mr Lewis knows all about the damage bullying can do.
He was bullied for the first three years of secondary school.
"It was a horrible experience to go through. I felt very, very isolated, very lonely. I remember the feeling in the pit of my stomach as I set off for school.
He said: "It had an effect on my motivation, confidence and I didn't do very well educationally - my grades did suffer. I don't want this happening to my children or anyone elses."
The new anti bullying measures are part of a £470 million Government attendance and behaviour programme.
All secondary schools will receive training specifically on how to tackle bullying.
Each locality in Bolton will have to develop a core policy to tackle bullies.
For the first time schools and LEAs are also being told they should consult pupils about issues which concern them, such as bullying.
Mr Lewis said the new package is all about creating a culture in the school community where everyone - from teachers, headteachers, support staff and pupils, take responsibility to ensure that bullying is completely unacceptable.
Specialist anti-bullying advisers will be appointed to work with schools to ensure they have anti-bullying strategies in place and are implementing them.
The measures also include changes to school inspections from September. Inspectors will be encouraged to be tougher on schools that are failing to tackle bullying.
Mr Lewis said headteachers should be clear that they do have the option to permanently exclude bullies where appropriate.
"All the consequences should be with the bully. Why should the victim be withdrawn from school if they are being bullied? That seems unfair."
The announcement of the new measures coincides with a poll of 1,000 pupils by the charity ChildLine which showed two out of three secondary pupils would feel uncomfortable telling their teacher they were being bullied.
More than half of the primary pupils and a quarter of secondary pupils said they had been bullied this term.
In Bolton for the past seven years Bully Free Zone - a dedicated anti-bullying group - has been in action across the town.
The group is currently being used as a model for other towns hoping to set up a similar initiative.
Nine primary schools are taking part in bullying awareness workshops - interactive activities in which children talk about what bullying is.
Mediation is another anti bullying weapon used in schools where children work together to resolve conflicts with one person mediating between the two opposed parties.
In secondary schools they have similar sorts of things - such as workshops and peer support schemes.
Older children are given the opportunity to take part in more creative projects involving drama, and the arts.
In January they started developing a young people's support group which will advise Bully Free Zone about their work and help schools review their anti-bullying policies.
The zone also runs a project which helps young people to develop life skills -- Millennium Volunteers, a government initiative for 16-24 year olds to encourage more volunteers in the local community.
Denise Cooney, headteacher of Bowness Primary School said Bully Free Zone had held workshops and role plays within the school and they had been inundated with the numbers of Year Six school children who have volunteered to do peer support.
"It's been so powerful. It's often perceived that the older children are the ones who would be bullies but this has really knocked that one the head. All the children are really shocked by the idea of bullying now."
Bully Free Zone are looking for management committee members. Applicants must be over 18. For more information contact Bully Free Zeon on 01204 454958.
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