Room for improvement in tackling school bullies, says Gilruth as guidance issued

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has made clear there is “room for improvement” in dealing with bullying in Scotland’s schools, as guidance was published by the Scottish Government.

She cited “challenges” with how bullying is recorded, saying incidents involving such behaviour are “often under-reported”.

She said the Scottish Government’s “clear expectation” is that “all reports of bullying should be recorded” – although she accepted “more rigorous recording” will “likely” lead to higher numbers of incidents in official data.

But Ms Gilruth said such a stance “demonstrates a commitment to transparency and ensures that every allegation of bullying is taken seriously”.

She was speaking as guidance was published which sets out that schools must treat incidents of online or cyber bullying with “the same level of seriousness” as bullying that takes place in person.

Noting an inspection by Education Scotland had “highlighted some challenges implementing the previous guidance”, Ms Gilruth said: “I am clear that there is still room for improvement.”

The Respect for All guidance is published after a census in Scotland’s schools in 2021-22 found almost a third (31%) of pupils from P5 to S3 had been bullied in the last year.

According to the research, 82% of youngsters reported being bullied at school, while 36% experienced it online.

The new guidance – published as part of Anti-Bullying Week 2024 – describes online or cyber bullying as being a “significant concern affecting children and young people in Scotland”, noting how social media, messaging platforms and gaming forums can all be used to “intimidate, isolate or humiliate individuals”.

It stresses the problem should not be treated as a “technological issue to be resolved”, making clear: “Online bullying should be seen as related to where the bullying occurs, rather than as a different behaviour type.”

It adds: “Online bullying can be as damaging as offline bullying and may have more serious consequences due to the digital footprint, lasting presence, group dynamics, and potential for illegality.

“Online bullying should therefore be responded to with the same level of seriousness as any other form of offline bullying.”

Speaking during a visit to Cowie Primary in Stirling, Ms Gilruth said: “Bullying of any kind is never acceptable and can have a lasting impact on a child or young person’s life.

“It is vital that incidents of bullying, both online and offline, are addressed promptly and robustly.”

Adding the new guidance “focuses on prevention, response and inclusivity”, the Education Secretary said it also “reflects the pressures facing young people, including the increase in social media use”.

Lorraine Glass, director of the anti-bullying service respectme, welcomed the “vital guidance” and added: “We look forward to working with colleagues across Scotland to further embed the policy and practice necessary for the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people.

“This week, over 700 schools from every Scottish local authority area have engaged with our annual campaign on what ‘respect’ means to them.

“It’s been a phenomenal response and a testament to the commitment and energy of teachers, parents and youth workers to bring safety and happiness to young lives.”