Angus schools recorded at least 112 incidents of bullying last year.
Arbroath Academy recorded by far the most, registering 53 reports of someone being victimised.
Five primary schools also reported bullying – Andover, Inverbrothock, Southesk, Maisondieu and Friockheim – although the exact number wasn’t specified as it was fewer than five.
We obtained these statistics through a freedom of information request to Angus Council, and are publishing them during anti-bullying week.
Out of Angus Council’s 58 primary and secondary schools, 12 reported a bullying incident to the local authority during the 2021/22 academic year. Arbroath High School was the only secondary which did not make a report, and Carnoustie High School reported fewer than five.
The council redacted figures for fewer than five reports to protect individuals’ identities.
How many bullying incidents did Angus schools record?
Overall, the number of incidents recorded was significantly higher than the 89 in 2018/19, the last year when schools were not closed for a period by the pandemic.
Angus Council says its anti-bullying policy helps to prevent bullying by fostering positive relationships, better behaviour and high expectations.
A spokesperson said: “Whilst we cannot comment on individual school situations, no school is immune to issues of bullying and none of our schools are complacent in this regard.
“We advise our young people to report any incidents immediately so that they can be addressed promptly and effectively.
“Restorative and solution-focused approaches, as well as peer mediation, are used to build, maintain, and repair relationships in the school community.”
Angus schools participated in an anti-bullying campaign, ThinkB4UType, with NSPCC Scotland and Respectme.
Read our bullying investigation
Earlier this year, we published a special investigation into bullying in schools.
We told victims’ harrowing stories and offered advice on how to help if your child was affected.
- Mummy I just want to die’: Devastating words of Fife girl, 7, after years of bullying
- Autistic Angus teen terrified to go to school as pupil threatens to ‘kill him
- Bullying advice: How to help children who are being bullied
- How to report bullying to schools and the police
- Mum says alleged assault of her 5-year-old son shows bullying happens at any age
- Relentless bullying makes Autistic Angus teen pull her own hair out and say she wants to die
- Traumatised Perthshire teen ‘hid in classrooms’ while bullies who pushed her down stairs faced ‘minimal punishment’
- REBECCA McCURDY: School bullies told me I’d be nothing – but look at me now
- OPINION: I attempted suicide after years of bullying – schools need to take it seriously
Conversation