Changing schools can increase bullying risk warns NSPCC

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Thursday, 15, Nov 2007 12:00

Starting secondary school can leave children especially vulnerable to being bullied the NSPCC reveals today (15 November).

One in three children (35%) calling ChildLine about bullying is aged 11 or 12 years old – the age that most children leave primary school.1

And the latest figures from the 24-hour helpline, released at the start of national Anti Bullying Week (19 to 23 Nov), also show that a quarter (25%) of more than 37,000 children who rang said the bullying happened outside the school gates.

The NSPCC is calling on teachers, parents, and other adults to be alert to signs that children who started a new school this year may be suffering bullying, and to involve them in coming up with solutions.

NSPCC head of child protection awareness Chris Cloke said: “It’s very worrying that so many children calling ChildLine about bullying are at the age of starting secondary school. It’s vital that all children feel able to speak out about bullying and know who to turn to for help.

“Children starting secondary school may have lost the support network they had established at primary school and feel unsure of who to ask for help. They are often mixing with a larger group of children and have also gone from being the oldest in their school to being the youngest.

“We are delighted that the Government has recognised the massive difference that peer support has made to thousands of children, through initiatives such as ChildLine In Partnerships (CHIPs).

Calls to ChildLine also show that bullying doesn’t end at the school gates. A new generation of children are being targeted in their own homes through text messages, emails, chatrooms, and social networking sites.”

The NSPCC has developed resources and information for teachers, parents and young people on the best ways to tackle bullying. For more information log on to www.nspcc.org.uk

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Notes to editors:

1. Between April 2006 and March 2007 a total of 37,644 children were counselled by ChildLine about bullying. Of these children 25,940 gave their age and 8,866 said they were aged either 11 or 12 years old.

2. Since December 1999 all schools must have an anti-bullying policy in place by law. From April 2004 all schools and LEAs have a duty to make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

3. The NSPCC chairs the Anti-Bullying Alliance. The Alliance brings together 50 organisations from the voluntary, educational, professional and private sectors to tackle the problem of bullying and create safer environments for children and young people. More information at www.antibullyingalliance.org.uk

4. The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The NSPCC’s purpose is to end cruelty to children FULL STOP. Its vision is of a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. The NSPCC runs 180 projects and services across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, including ChildLine, the UK’s free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people. The NSPCC helps over 10,000 children and their families every year.