This book considers the progress made towards changing pupil attitudes to bullying in twenty-five secondary schools. It begins with a consideration of the present situation and looks at the way in which policies have been developed to make school life more enjoyable for all pupils. It recognises that families and the community at large are also involved and considers how schools can integrate their anti-bullying work with social activities, and the subject curriculum. It shows a way forward for those schools and parents who are seeking to bring about change.

Three questions are addressed:

* How can schools change attitudes so that there is a decline in all forms of bullying behaviour?

* What difference does action against bullying make to pupil life and the quality of teaching and learning?

* Is action leading to a longer term improvement in the school society?

The book is directed at those responsible for policy development in schools and colleges. It relies heavily upon case study material and so is more lively than many educational books. It will attract school governors and parents who are interested in the subject and will also be of value to those in teacher education.

Derek Glover, the main author, was for 18 years headteacher of Burford School and Community College, Oxfordshire. He took early retirement in 1990 to complete his PhD in school and community relationships and has subsequently worked as a research fellow at the universities of Keele, Leicester and the Open University.

Netta Cartwright, the author who has compiled the material for the examples of good practice and the case studies, is currently school counsellor at Walton High School, Stafford, and a teacher of English. She has been responsible for the development of successful anti-bullying policies in the school, is active in INSET training, and has written widely on aspects of peer counselling and equal opportunities education.

Denis Gleeson has acted as editorial consultant for this work. He is professor of education and head of the education department at Keele University and has written widely on aspects of adolescent development, further education and training, and educational disadvantage.