Bullying on the rise in Northamptonshire schools despite children spending months out of classrooms during Covid pandemic

Exclusions for bullying at Northamptonshire schools rose despite children being away from the classroom for months during the pandemic.

Department for Education figures show students were excluded 61 times for bullying during the 2019-20 academic year — one permanently and 60 temporarily.

This was an increase on the year before, when there were 58 exclusions.

Ahead of Anti-Bullying Week, which begins on Monday (November 15), children's charities are warning the issue is 'stubbornly persistent'.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance, which coordinates Anti-Bullying Week every year, said the number of exclusions fell dramatically in 2020 as schools shut during the pandemic.

However, Martha Evans, director of the organisation, added this does not mean bullying disappeared from schools with a survey it carried out indicating a rise in cyberbullying.

She added: “Sadly, we estimate that at least one child in every classroom is experiencing frequent bullying behaviour from others.

"We know this experience can affect children’s mental health and have a lingering effect well into adulthood.

“But we must also remember that the majority of children know that bullying is never okay, and they want positive and respectful relationships with their friends and classmates."

Across England, 2,438 permanent or temporary suspensions for bullying were recorded in 2019-20. This was down from 3,510 the year before and the lowest number since comparable records began in 2005-06.

The vast majority of temporary and permanent exclusions in England occur in secondary schools.

In Northamptonshire in 2019-20, 49 occurred in state-funded secondary schools, seven in special schools and five in primary schools.

Childline said the pandemic changed the 'landscape of bullying' with much of it now occurring online.

Alex Gray, head of volunteer operations at the charity, added: “We know bullying can have a profound impact on children and for some it can cause them to develop mental health problems like depression and anxiety.

“For others it can hinder their friendships as they don’t feel accepted by their peers, it can make them wary and suspicious of others and for some it can affect their performance at school."

The Department for Education said permanent exclusions should only be used as a last resort, and should not mean an exclusion from education.

A spokeswoman added: “Bullying is never acceptable in any form, and we must all take a stand against bullying to create a safe place for all children in the classroom and online.

“We are supporting schools to tackle all forms of bullying, including through providing funding to anti-bullying charities and ongoing work to improve behaviour."