Schools must tackle sexist bullying, ATL says

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) has warned that schools must do more to stop sexist bullying, which can affect girls’ subject choices and disrupt their confidence.

Mary Bousted, general secretary of ATL, claimed that students at both mixed and girls’ schools were internalising society’s views of women. She said: “There are so many names girls can be called - far more than for boys.”

Bousted warned that such stereotyping lead to girls feeling that it was not possible to be both brainy and feminine. She cited multiple pressures on girls, to be thin, attractive, compliant and quiet and said bright girls could be made to feel unfeminine.

Bousted added: “I think sexist bullying is a thing that just doesn't get talked about. For girls, 'if you are swotty and clever and answer too many questions, you are not attractive'. There's a very fine line. There is a conspiracy of near-silence amongst girls. Schools of course have to promote equality between the sexes but this is not an issue for schools alone.

"Adolescents today have more access to highly sexualised films and content, on social media, than ever before.”

The comment comes ahead of the ATL’s annual conference in Liverpool next week where the issue will be discussed.

Helen Fraser, chief executive of the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST), said there was ‘certainly nothing unfeminine about standing up and making your voice heard’.

She added: "In our increasingly image-obsessed society, it is not surprising that girls feel under pressure to maintain idealised personas but what they look like is only one very small part of who they are.

"By pushing boundaries, asking questions and taking risks, girls can develop a sense of self-worth that is anything but superficial."

However, a Department for Education spokeswoman maintained the government was firm that sexist bullying, like all other forms of bullying, must not be tolerated.

She said: ”Every school is required by law to have measures in place to prevent it. We have strengthened teachers' powers to tackle bullying and have made clear that teachers can discipline and investigate cases of bullying outside school.

"In addition, we're ensuring all children are better educated about the dangers of the internet, with children learning about internet safety as part of the new National Curriculum."