Beatbullying welcomes NASUWT 'Gangs and Schools' findings

18.04.2008

Beatbullying welcomes the interim findings of the NASUWT’s Gangs and Schools Report published on Friday 18/04/08.

Emma-Jane Cross, Chief Executive of Beatbullying, said: “Beatbullying is aware of the links between bullying and gang culture, with bullying often the precursor to serious and violent behaviours related to gangs.  It is heartening to see the NASUWT painting a realistic picture of the problem and offering positive and sensible recommendations. 

“The interim findings point to truancy and poor interfaith relations as factors in the forming of gangs.   Beatbullying’s work addresses these issues and we are confident that bullying prevention work will have a significant effect in tackling the problem of gangs in schools.

“Most importantly, Beatbullying welcomes the NASUWT’s strong recommendation of peer mentoring schemes to tackle the problem most effectively.  For years Beatbullying has been lobbying the Government to introduce peer mentoring programmes to tackle bullying and inappropriate behaviour.  

“The Government has recently funded a pilot peer mentoring scheme in schools, but in light of these findings, we need peer mentoring to be introduced in all schools now, so that this work can reach every young person, and we can address these problems that concern them the most.”