What it is doing to tackle homophobic bullying of students or staff in (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) tertiary educational establishmen…

The Scottish Executive condemns bullying of any sort and in any sector of education.All schools should develop, in consultation with all members of the school community, a clear anti-bullying policy. As a matter of good practice we would expect schools to have developed specific guidelines about how homophobia should be tackled. Current Scottish Executive initiatives aimed at tackling bullying within Scotland's schools include the Scottish Anti-Bullying Network (ABN), the Scottish Schools Ethos Network (SSEN), the recommendations contained in the Discipline Task Group report Better Behaviour
- Better Learning, and the underwriting of ChildLine's dedicated bullying helpline. The ABN has developed guidelines on homophobic bullying to help schools to develop good practice in this area.Higher education institutions and colleges of further education are autonomous organisations and are individually responsible for matters relating to the safety of both staff and students, including the application of relevant legal provisions relating to employment, the avoidance of discrimination, and health and safety.