Story perspectives

Abuse Reports Surge 68% — DfE Vows Anti-Bullying Action

5/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Abuse mentions rose 68 percent in English schools between the 2021-22 and 2024-25 terms.
Department for Education recorded over 55,000 racist, 13,000 homophobic or transphobic, 1,600 disablist suspensions from 2020-21 to 2024-25, which experts attribute to cuts to anti-bullying outreach, limited teacher training and harmful social-media content.
Unions and charities called for an anti-bullying strategy with mandatory prejudice-incident recording, prompting the Department for Education to pledge support and clearer suspension guidance.

History

Historical Context

The UK’s anti-bullying effort began in 2006 when the Ministry of Education launched an anti-bully plan and, under Section 89 of the 2006 Education and Inspections Act, required every state school to publish a policy. Charities such as Bullying UK (founded 1999) and BeatBullying, which reported a 39 % drop in incidents before suspending services in 2014, have shaped subsequent reforms.

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Story summary

Abuse mentions rose 68 percent in English schools between the 2021-22 and 2024-25 terms.
Department for Education recorded over 55,000 racist, 13,000 homophobic or transphobic, 1,600 disablist suspensions from 2020-21 to 2024-25, which experts attribute to cuts to anti-bullying outreach, limited teacher training and harmful social-media content.
Unions and charities called for an anti-bullying strategy with mandatory prejudice-incident recording, prompting the Department for Education to pledge support and clearer suspension guidance.

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