System to monitor bullying rolled out

Schools are to introduce a new method of monitoring and recording bullying.

Education Secretary John Swinney said the change, coming this autumn, would help teachers act “quickly and effectively” when problems arise. Updated guidance will be issued by the Scottish Government on how schools and councils should record information about the type and prevalence of bullying. The information will be recorded on the SEEMIS system, the education management information system already used to track areas such as attendance.

Mr Swinney said: “It’s every child’s right not to be bullied and having a consistent way of recording and monitoring incidents will help schools identify issues and act quickly and effectively. This includes support for children involved in these incidents but also programmes to prevent bullying and promote positive relationships and behaviour.”

Larry Flanagan, of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) teaching union, said: “The EIS believes all forms of bullying need to be challenged effectively – accurate recording and monitoring of instances of bullying should facilitate the provision of appropriate support and resourcing, to allow schools to do this.”