(2) pursuant to the answer of 4 July 2007, Official Report, columns 1092-94, on pupils: intimidation, to how many schools the National Strategies gave additional support with anti-bullying work in each financial year since 2002-03;
(3) pursuant to the answer of 4 July 2007, Official Report, columns 1092-94, on pupils: intimidation, what percentage of schools were using the principles of the Charter to draw up effective anti-bullying policies in each financial year since 2002-03;
(4) pursuant to the answers of 11 June 2007, Official Report, column 795W and 4 July 2007, Official Report, column 1092W, on pupils: intimidation, if he will clarify the allocation of funds for tackling bullying to (a) organisations and (b) programmes.
PricewaterhouseCoopers recently completed an evaluation of the Department’s programme of work with the Anti-Bullying Alliance, the main organisation which the Department funds for anti-bullying work. The PWC report was generally positive, but suggested that some elements of the work should be put out to tender. The Department is currently preparing tender documents for future elements of the anti-bullying work programme.
The Department’s programme of work with the National Strategies Regional Advisers—to spread good practice and work with identified schools to support and challenge them in improving their anti-bullying policies and strategies—began this financial year. I refer the hon. Member to previous answer 147174, making clear that data on the number of schools supported are not held by the Department.
The National Strategies began to monitor use of the Anti-Bullying Charter to inform effective policy and practice in secondary schools in March 2006. They have recorded a steady increase in the use of the principles of the Charter over the twice-yearly reporting cycle. They began to monitor primary schools as well in March 2007. The National Strategies advise that nearly 75 per cent. of secondary schools and over 50 per cent. of primary schools are using the principles of the Charter to draw up their own anti-bullying policies.
I refer the hon. Member to answers provided previously on the issue of funding (141379, and 147173), which detailed overall allocations for anti-bullying work in each financial year since 2002 as well as the funds given to organisations that the Department has worked with. Funding not allocated to external organisations was used to support a variety of activities, including anti-bullying resources such as DVDs and hard-copies of guidance documents, local and national events, the preparation of guidance, research, and publicity campaigns.