NEWS FOCUS
www.sec-ed.com
SecEd: On Your Side
Will we ever beat
the cyber-bullies?
It Is to my great
disappointment that the
Pete
education unions of this
Henshaw
country are still having to hold
Editor,
national debates about the
SecEd
devastating impact that cyber-
bullying is having on the lives of teachers and students.
the issue was once again being discussed by worried
teachers this week, this time at the NAsUWt union’s
annual scotland conference in Aviemore.
It has been on the educational agenda for years now, and
still teachers face an unacceptable risk of falling victim to
cyber-harassment and career-ending false allegations over
the internet and through modern technology.
small steps have been made with various government
guidance being released over the years, and the much-
needed lobbying of the ethically questionable internet sites
that encourage the rating, scoring, and often libelling, of
teachers by students.
However, I still enter schools to this day where staff are
too afraid to confiscate mobile phones for fear of incurring
the wrath of parents or attracting legal trouble. I still enter
Schools embrace
schools today that don’t enforce blanket bans on mobiles.
And I still encounter too many teachers who do not realise
the dangers of having public social networking profiles.
As Jane Peckham, the NAsUWt’s scotland organiser,
told SecEd in the run up to their event last week: “the
government has recognised the devastating impact that police partnerships
cyber-bullying can have on both teachers and pupils.
Unfortunately, as good as the government’s guidance
undoubtedly is, there is still more that needs to be done. At
At CAIstor Yarborough school and prevent problems with youth
present the guidance relies on industry self-regulation as a
in Lincolnshire, a police officer Government figures this week crime before they escalate.
key strategy for preventing abuse. this is unlikely to work.
from the local force can be seen “ssPs are not just for schools
strolling the grounds on a regular
suggested that almost half of
with serious behavioural problems
More and urgent action is required.”
basis. or in challenging areas – we want
she is right, and once again we have another conference the school is not on the
secondary schools in England have
all pupils to feel safe in their
motion calling, as the NAsUWt’s did, for revision in the
officer’s regular beat, but Caistor
a dedicated police officer. Chris
community.”
law to give “more accessible avenues of redress” for those
Yarborough is one of many English rod Jarman, the Metropolitan
schools – almost half, according
who are exposed to “public ridicule and false allegations”.
Parr finds out more
Police’s deputy assistant
to government figures – that has a commissioner, said that police
It wants the development of more effective school policies
healthy working relationship with officers working in schools had an
with zero tolerance of cyber-bullying and restrictions on local officers. Ms rogers added: “our targeted “Figures show that since his important role in ensuring children
pupil access to mobile phones during school (hear, hear).
the schemes, known as safer pupils tend to react very well to the appointment, crime has fallen and young people are not victimised
I acknowledge that some battles are hard to win, such
school Partnerships (ssPs), were advice they get from the police. considerably in the local area,” he and bullied.
launched seven years ago to help they listen, show respect, and seem added. He explained: “through these
as the regulation of websites which are based abroad,
tackle poor behaviour, improve to address the issues that they have ssPs are now active in around partnerships we are also better
but other battles I see as easy – zero tolerance on cyber-
relationships between youngsters been called in for. 5,000 schools across the country, able to tackle the causes of violent
bullies, stern punishments for those caught, and the whole
and the police, and cut truancy. “the officers also provide all including 45 per cent of secondary extremism and to deal with specific
school community pulling together to ensure a united and
Jenny rogers, deputy head at of our students with information schools. Last week, ministers issues that are of concern to young
consistent approach against this evil.
Caistor Yarborough, said the school on legal issues and careers in law launched fresh guidance on setting people, such as bullying, weapons,
had an “excellent partnership” with enforcement, and consult us when up ssPs and urged the remaining drugs, alcohol, and gang culture.”
And what we need most urgently in order to stop those
the police, and that they really value they have issues involving our schools throughout England to sign Chris Keates, general secretary
who insist on partaking in these frivolous but insidious the support they receive. students outside of school time – up to the scheme. of the National Association of
activities is a government that wholly supports teachers
she explained: “We work asking for background information the guidance is designed to help schoolmasters Union of Women
on this issue and is brave enough to back zero-tolerance
regularly together on many issues. to aid their work with them, for teachers, police and communities teachers, praised the work that
policies and exclusions is necessary.
the officers help to deliver lessons example.” to set up ssPs, and includes advice schools were doing to help keep
on specific topics, such as racial Another school that has seen for a formal agreement that can be young people safe.
awareness or drugs. positive results from the ssP signed between the school, police However, she feels the
A sad reflection
“they also hold assemblies, programme is Harris Academy in and other agencies outlining their partnerships have the potential
mentor students, and hold south London. commitment to work together to work not only within school
workshops with targeted students – Vice principal Leo Gilbert told to keep young people safe and boundaries, but also in communities
on a one-to-one basis if required.” SecEd: “We have a full-time officer improve behaviour. as a whole.
Call me an idealist, but I find it disheartening that in a time
the targeted pupils have on-site, and he is a real asset to the It builds on guidance outlined she said: “ssPs should not be
of great public concern about the possibility of a global
included those caught stealing from academy. He has built an excellent in the Youth Crime Action Plan last seen simply in relation to tackling
influenza pandemic, I am receiving emails from a myriad of the local shop, two youngsters that rapport with students, is always on year to support schools in preventing youth crime, but also in helping
companies offering “services” to “help” schools.
fired a BB gun on the bus, and those hand to support staff in a range of and tackling crime, racism, violent schools to promote community
Last week we received notice of a “free” animated video
involved in playground fights. situations, can handle investigations extremism, weapons, illegal drugs, cohesion and improve the wellbeing
A one-on-one meeting tends into allegations of bullying and theft, and gang culture. of all young people.”
from one company which teachers can use in the classroom
to take place when a pupil is a can carry out searches as and when Ed Balls, minister for children, the latest government guidance
to inform students about swine flu and ways to limit the
regular smoker, at risk of permanent necessary, and is known by students schools and families, said: “I want on ssPs can be accessed at www.
spread of disease. the free video is very good, let me be clear
exclusion, or there are suspicions out of school for his continuing every school to work with the teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/
on that, but the related videos advertised next to this resource
that they may be involved in drugs. work in the community. police to keep young people safe behaviour/saferschoolpartnerships
are, of course, only available to those who subscribe.
Following hot on the heels of this offer was a signage
IN rESpONSE…
company offering the chance to buy “bespoke and striking
designs” for signs promoting infection control and good
Dear sir responsibilities formerly considered offering such a service. so at a to say just leave them to it. still,
hygiene. I for one think teachers are perfectly able to come
an integral part of parenting. point when the concept of the what do I know? I’m just a fully
up with these kind of solutions on their own if they are
I write with regards to your Children, not receiving family is in crisis, Gordon Brown qualified teacher with 40 years’
article last week focusing on the guidance and advice in social decides to throw decisions about experience – the last person that
necessary to reassure students in their school and to help
prime minister’s plans to give integration from the familial education to parents. Gordon Brown and Ed Balls are
promote good hygiene. parents the power to demand source, have looked elsewhere for Am I right in thinking that interested in.
In these times of heightened concern, especially
action if they are unhappy about role models and support. schools are going to be advised
among younger students, we don’t need the “help” of
local school provision. PM’s In some areas, the classroom by parents and staffed by partially Tina Stockman, teacher
plans under fire, (SecEd 213, has become a battleground trained personnel drawn from Harlaw Academy, Aberdeen
opportunist companies who are simply trying to make a
thursday, May 14). as teachers try and deliver a the reliable world of business?
few extra quid. SecEd
We’re told that a week is curriculum they have little faith in, Interesting to speculate on what Send your letters to SecEd, St
a long time in politics – how to a group who have still less. this school might be like and the Jude’s Church, Dulwich Road,
• Pete Henshaw is the editor of secEd. Have your say by
true that is. It has recently been Parenting classes have been reaction of the pupils. Herne Hill, London, SE24
emailing editor@sec-ed.co.uk or see www.sec-ed.co.uk
widely publicised that a number widely mooted – although I have If I did not feel so sorry for 0PB or you can email them to
of parents are not assuming the yet to encounter an institution the children, I would be tempted editor@sec-ed.co.uk
6 SecEd • May 21 2009
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20