Schools need a coherent strategy for lockdown procedures in case of a dangerous event taking place on their premises, a teaching union said.
The BBCreports that the NASUWT said schools currently had ad hoc drills to deal with various threats and called on the government to put together a comprehensive plan. More than 200 head teachers in West Yorkshire have attended council-run seminars providing advice on lockdowns.
Preventing bullying in schools
The Department for Education (DfE) has published a new version of ‘Preventing and tackling bullying’ outlining: the government’s approach to bullying; legal obligations and the powers schools have to tackle bullying; and the principles which underpin the most effective anti-bullying strategies in schools in England. The advice also lists further resources through which school staff can access specialist information on the specific issues that they face.
Source: DfE Date: 04 July 2017
Further information: Preventing and tackling bullying: advice for headteachers, staff and governing bodies (PDF)
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Female genital mutilation statistics
NHS Digital has published the female genital mutilation (FGM) annual report for England for the period April 2016 to March 2017. Key findings include: there were 9,179 attendances reported at NHS trusts and GP practices where FGM was identified or a procedure for FGM was undertaken; 5,391 cases were newly recorded; the 5 to 9 year old age group was the most common age range at which FGM was undertaken; in 57 cases, the FGM was known to have been undertaken in the UK.
Source: NHS Digital Date: 04 July 2017
Further information: Female genital mutilation (FGM) enhanced dataset – April 2016 to March 2017, England, experimental statistics
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Children Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill
The first reading of Children Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill in the House of Lords took place on 3 July 2017.
Source: UK Parliament Date: 03 July 2017
Further information: Children Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill (PDF)
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Experiences of LGBT pupils in schools
Stonewall has published research into the experiences of lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) pupils in Britain’s schools. Findings from an online survey of 3,713 LGBT young people aged 11-19 include: 45% are bullied for being LGBT – this is down from 55% in 2012 and 65% in 2007; 45% of LGBT pupils who are bullied for being LGBT never tell anyone about the bullying; 9% of trans pupils are subjected to death threats at school; more than four in five trans young people have self-harmed, as have three in five lesbian, gay and bi young people who aren’t trans.
Source: Stonewall Date: 27 June 2017
Further information: Further information: School report: the experiences of lesbian, gay, bi and trans young people in Britain’s schools in 2017 (PDF)
Secondary school mental health training
The government has announced that, from June 2017, teachers in secondary schools in England will take part in a training programme to help them identify and respond to early signs of mental health issues in children. Teachers will receive practical advice on how to deal with issues such as depression and anxiety, suicide and psychosis, self-harm, and eating disorders.
Source: Gov.uk Date: 27 June 2017
The Children and Young People (Information Sharing) (Scotland) Bill
The Scottish Government has published the the Children and Young People (Information Sharing) (Scotland) Bill and accompanying documents. The Bill will introduce a duty on public and other services to consider if the sharing of information will promote, support or safeguard the wellbeing of a child or young person. It will also ensure that the sharing is compatible with current law.
Source: Scottish Government Date: 20 June 2017
The Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Bill
The Scottish Parliament has voted to remove the three year limit on survivors of childhood abuse seeking civil damages in court. The Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Bill will mean that cases arising from childhood abuse on or after 26 September 1964 will no longer face the barrier of the limitation period. The Bill passed Stage 3 on 22 June 2017.
Source: Scottish Government Date: 22 June 2017
Age of Criminal Responsibility Bill
The first reading of the Age of Criminal Responsibility Bill in the House of Lords took place on 26 June 2017. A Bill to raise the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales from ten to twelve.
Source: UK Parliament Date: 26 June 2017
Home Education (Duty of Local Authorities) Bill
The first reading of the Home Education (Duty of Local Authorities) Bill in the House of Lords took place on 27 June 2017. The Bill makes provision for local authorities to monitor the educational, physical and emotional development of children receiving elective home education, and for connected purposes.
Source: UK Parliament Date: 27 June 2017
