It's Anti-Bullying Week 2009 and the Department of Education has announced a major initiative in the Isle of Man.

Research carried out during the compilation of the Manx Government’s first ever Children's Plan, published in May, found bullying or fear of bullying was still an issue among some pupils in local schools, despite the good overall levels of care.

As a result, the department asked all schools to review and, if necessary, amend and re-launch their existing anti-bullying policies, to make it clear bullying was not acceptable and would not be tolerated.

As a part of the initiative, co-ordinator of the Anti-Bullying Alliance in the North West, Alison O’Brien, will next month lead two half-day workshops for headteachers and senior staff.