500 incidents of bullying in our schools

Bullying remains a concern at schools in Angus, Dundee, and Pe r t h and Kinross as figures reveal almost 500 incidents were recorded last year.

There were a total of 479 cases of bullying across the three local authority areas during the 2019-20 school year, according to freedom of information data.

Only incidents reported before the end of March are included as schools closed early because of Covid-19.

A spate of high-profile cases has brought the issue to the fore in the last year.

Parents were shocked in January after a girl was filmed being dragged across the corridor by her hair at Carnoustie High.

Schools in Perth and Kinross had 221 incidents with the majority of cases relating to secondary school pupils.

Perth High recorded the highest number of reported offences with 65, a rise of eight from 2018-19.

This was followed by Crieff High where there were 64 incidents.

While figures remain high, Kinross High has seen a reduction in bullying claims as figures drop to 32, compared to 69 from the previous year.

Bullying claims have fallen at Dundee schools in the past year with 148 cases, down from 186 in 2018-19.

However, more pupils are reporting bullying at city high schools as cases increased at Baldragon Academy with 26, while Craigie High had 32 and Harris Academy, 25.

Morgan Academy had 10 fewer claims in 2019-20 with 13, St John’s had six and Braeview, five.

Reported cases at Clepington Primary reached 19, a fall from 35 in 2 01 8 - 1 9 and 49 in 2017-18.

Angus schools recorded a combined total of 110 reports of bullying last year, an increase from 2018.

Arbroath Academy saw the biggest rise in claims with 30 in the last school year, an increase of 18, while Arbroath High did not have incidents.

Forfar Academy had 11 reports, Carnoustie High had eight, Webster’s High, nine and Montrose Academy, three.

There were also worrying figures from Angus primary schools as Inverbrothock and Northmuir Primary School both received 15 complaints, an increase from 10 and six respectively.

A spokesman for Angus Council said: “We advise our young people to report any incidents immediately to staff so they can be investigated and addressed promptly and effectively.”

Dundee City Council children and families convener Stewart Hunter said: “Our schools always take appropriate action in responses to bullying incidents and any allegations are dealt with extremely seriously.”

Pe r t h and Kinross Council said schools are working to reduce concerns and an anti-bullying strategy is in place.

Figures were not available for Fife schools. any recorded