Dear Sir
 
It's completely wrong to suggest schools will have to record the names of pupils involved in bullying on a register. ('Pupils aged five on hate register', 4 March 2010). The truth is we have just finished a consultation asking if schools should have to report the number of incidences of bullying to local authorities – but these reports will be anonymous and there is no suggestion that any child will be named. However it will mean the local authority can take action if a school is reporting especially high levels of bullying of any kind. 
 
We are clear there is no place for bullying in our schools and that we expect headteachers to take swift and appropriate action to stamp out bullying. We make no apology for asking schools to take a tough line. If bullying is not dealt with in schools, then this will send a powerful message to children that discrimination is acceptable – not only in schools but in society as a whole.
 
Yours faithfully
 
Iain Wright, Schools Minister