New report highlights bullying still an issue across education

The first impact report from Diversity Role Models around their DfE project ‘Embracing Difference, Ending Bullying’ highlights that bullying is still very much prevalent within education settings. Diversity Role models are a charity organisation that seeks to embed inclusion and empathy in the next generation. Their project has been running for a year and has delivered training to teachers in 55 primary and secondary schools across the UK and has produced videos and resources to support settings. They also gathered data from all of the stakeholders across the settings, pupils, staff, parent carers and governors.

Bullying was found to be more common around the issues that are discussed less regularly such as LGBT+ and disability. The statistics show that difference is the biggest reason for bullying in primary schools and bullying targeting those who are gay or thought to be gay was the most prevalent in secondary schools.  It was expressed in feedback that there is a lack of visibility of certain identities, notably disability, across schools. One of the recommendations is about developing greater inclusion and having open and honest discussions about difference and celebrating the unity in diversity. This will go a long way to reducing the ‘difference’ and highlighting what unites pupils and needs to be part of the culture and ethos not a ‘one-off’ event.