Written question asked by David Amess (Conservative) on Tuesday, 3 November 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 November 2009. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 9 November 2009 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Pupils: Bullying

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps he is taking to prevent bullying and intimidation of Jewish children in schools; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The DCSF has made it clear to schools that all forms of bullying, including those motivated by prejudice, should not be tolerated. Schools have the legal duty to put measures in place to promote good behaviour, respect for others and to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils. Schools' legal duties also include promoting community cohesion which is about building an appreciation of diversity, developing shared values and fostering good relations between different groups of pupils. Ofsted has inspected schools against this duty since September 2008.In March 2006 we published specialist guidance on bullying around race, religion and culture which focused on preventing and tackling racist and religious bullying in schools and included specific material on bullying related to anti-Semitism. We are funding the Anti-Bullying Alliance and the National Strategies to ensure the guidance is effectively embedded in local authorities and schools.

Secondary information