BRENT STUDENTS VISIT PARLIAMENT TO MARK ANTI-BULLYING WEEK WITH SARAH TEATHER

3.42.42pm GMT Tue 28th Nov 2006

Sarah Teather and Ming Campbell meeting pupils from John Kelly Girls School to talk about bullying in schools

Ten students from John Kelly Girls Technology College in Brent visited parliament on Monday to discuss the problem of bullying in schools with Sir Menzies Campbell, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, and Sarah Teather, local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East.

Sarah Teather MP invited the Brent students aged from 11 to 16, and two of their teachers, to the House of Commons to mark National Anti-bullying Week. The local MP, who is also the Liberal Democrats' Spokesperson on Education, was keen to hear their ideas on how the problem of bullying should be tackled.

The students also met representatives from the charity beatbullying, whose research published this week showed that over a third of children who are absent from school are missing lessons because of the fear of bullying. As a school with successful anti-bullying policies, as well as the highest attendance level in Brent last year, John Kelly students were the ideal choice for ideas on how to break the link between bullying and truancy.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"It was fantastic to meet these students and to hear their views. Bullying is a real problem which can seriously affect a young person's life chances.

"We cannot ignore the strong link between bullying and truancy. It is unacceptable that some young people in Brent stay away from the classroom because of fear.

"I am always struck by just how passionately young people in Brent care about their school and community. These students have such sensible and practical solutions to problems. It beats me why we don't harvest their ideas more often."

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ming Campbell said:

"The Government's one billion pound anti-truancy strategy has been misdirected. The clear link established between bullying and truancy shows that the vast number of young people missing school are not feckless but fearful.

"Failing to create safe surroundings for children at school leads to lower educational attainment, higher unemployment and higher levels of anti-social behaviour.

"The Government must ensure its anti-truancy strategy recognises this link and that teachers are given training so that they have the skills and confidence to root out and tackle all forms of bullying."