Thousands of schools in England are set to benefit from further support and training to help pupils combat bullying, learn to value each other\u2019s differences, and improve wellbeing for staff.<\/p>\n
As Anti-Bullying Week gets underway, the Department for Education has today (Tuesday 16 November) confirmed funding for five leading organizations, worth over \u00a31 million in total, to support schools and colleges in championing tolerance and respect as part of their responsibility to tackle all forms of bullying.<\/p>\n
Over \u00a33.5 million has already been provided to charities and organizations to prevent bullying, with the latest funding boost going towards projects and programs that tackle bullying including LGBT, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and victims of hate-related bullying.<\/p>\n
This will build on the Government\u2019s new relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) curriculum, which has been designed to reflect a diverse range of views and backgrounds, whilst fostering respect for others and the understanding of healthy relationships. Subjects include teaching about bullying, healthy friendships, equality and the risks of stereotyping.<\/p>\n
A new support scheme for school leaders is also being launched today, backed by \u00a3760,000 to promote good wellbeing across pupils, teachers and school and college staff. The scheme will provide one-to-one counselling and peer support to around 2,000 school leaders, helping those at deputy head level and above with their mental wellbeing.<\/p>\n
Children and Families Minister Will Quince said \u201cBullying 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s crucial that our children and young people know how to treat one another with respect and celebrate one another\u2019s differences. That\u2019s why we are supporting organizations leading 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
An updated Education Staff Wellbeing Charter will also be published this week, which sets out commitments from the government, Ofsted, education unions and charities, to promote and protect the mental health of the education workforce. Through the charter, the department pledges to work with the sector to drive down unnecessary workload, improve access to wellbeing resources, and champion flexible working, among a range of actions to support staff wellbeing. The department is now encouraging all state funded schools and colleges to sign up to the charter to create a united approach to supporting staff.<\/p>\n