Schools exclude victims of bullying, not bullies, claim MPs

Some schools are excluding victims of bullying rather than the perpetrators, according to a report by MPs.

The select committee on education and skills’ report, published today, expressed concern that some schools were tackling bullying by trying to change the behaviour of the victim, and had gone as far excluding victims on health and safety grounds.

It urged the government to issue new guidance to local authorities and schools, covering when exclusions should and should not be used. And it suggested advice should be made available to schools on what services are available to work with persistent bullies.

The report said schools’ anti-bullying policies should specifically mention disability-related, faith-based and homophobic bullying.