Polly Curtis, Education Editor for The Guardian has published an article today examining results from a recent ‘Happiness Study’ carried out across the UK by Ofsted.
Unfortunately for many children living on the Island, the report claims that the Isle of Wight has the highest score of bullying in schools across the UK.
The levels of bullying was just one aspect of the report, which scores each local authority in the UK against another four measures also: the emotional health of children (how many friends they have), participation in sports and volunteering, drug, alcohol and substance abuse, and how happy they are with their access to parks and play areas
The results of the report are being used to set targets for the local authorities to improve children’s lives by next year.
The evidence of a bullying culture in schools is a worry statistic, particularly following previous reports of bullying within our own local authority at County Hall and one that we hope the LEA will be able to address in the coming year.
Anne Longfield, chief executive of the children’s charity 4Children, said:
“Parents who move their children from an urban environment where there is bad news in the headlines to what are seen to be a safer areas often don’t find a natural solution. Bullying continues wherever children are. It’s not limited to urban areas, and drug abuse also happens in areas with more affluence and fewer things to do.”
Read Polly’s article in full.
Information on Anti Bullying Week
Image: JBWeir
