Mr Clarke is set to endorse guidelines for an anti-violence and bullying strategy, due to be published by the Forum on Children and Violence, an organisation based at the National Children's Bureau. Checkpoints for Schools outlines a blueprint for schools to develop anti-bullying techniques, with proposals for monitoring levels of playground violence and methods of tackling the problem. Children need reassurance that they can learn and play in a safe environment, free from violent behaviour. That is their right.
Violence has no place in schools.
We must eliminate it if we are to raise the attainment of all our young people. The Forum on Children and Violence says it is seeking to counter the prevalence of violence. Among the measures proposed are creating close links between home and school, including signing a contract between parents, pupils and teachers which makes a commitment to non-violence. Carpets set soft tone Schools would also set standards of behaviour, which would be made clearly known and consistently applied. A budget would be set aside specifically to support anti-bullying policies.