It has taken me a couple of weeks to write this piece due to the upsetting interview we (Voice of Wales) conducted and I only hope my thoughts are measured.

Behind the veneer of academic excellence lies a troubling reality in Llanelli schools – a culture of silence and denial surrounding the pervasive issue of bullying. Statistics paint a stark picture: according to recent surveys, *70%* of students report witnessing or experiencing bullying, yet only *20%* of incidents are officially acknowledged by schools. This alarming discrepancy underscores a systemic failure to address the true extent of the problem in the schools, at school governor and council level.

Tragically, the consequences of this institutional neglect are all too real. Bradley John’s untimely demise serves as a chilling reminder of the human toll exacted by unchecked bullying. His case is not an isolated incident; it is emblematic of a wider pattern of neglect and apathy within our educational institutions. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, schools continue to downplay the severity of bullying, citing trivial excuses such as “a spat between two pupils” to avoid tarnishing their reputation. Their also appears to be cover up by not filling out the accident books of first aid given and parents informed.

The implications of this deliberate cover-up are profound. Victims are left without recourse, their suffering dismissed and trivialised. The psychological toll of bullying cannot be overstated as we have seen, with studies linking it to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and even suicide among young people. Yet, in the face of such harrowing statistics, schools choose to prioritise their image over the well-being of their students, perpetuating a cycle of harm and trauma.

Moreover, the insidious nature of bullying extends beyond individual incidents, infiltrating the very fabric of our educational system. Sirian gangs and others in Coedcae School represent a microcosm of this larger problem, their presence serving as a constant threat to the safety and security of students and teachers. Despite the clear evidence of organised intimidation, in school and off site. The schools turn a blind eye, complicit in perpetuating a culture of fear and intimidation.

The solution to this epidemic of bullying requires nothing short of a paradigm shift in our approach to education. Schools must be held accountable for their failure to address bullying, with stringent penalties imposed for those who turn a blind eye to the suffering of their students. Transparency and accountability must be prioritised, with mandatory reporting and investigation of all bullying incidents, regardless of their perceived severity.

Additionally, preventative measures must be implemented to address the root causes of bullying, including education programmes promoting empathy, tolerance, and respect. Something that was offered at St. John school but was met with ‘Their isn’t a problem of bullying in this school’ and the phone was slammed down. Counselling and support services must be readily available to victims, providing them with the resources they need to heal and recover from their trauma. Only through concerted effort and unwavering commitment can we hope to eradicate the scourge of bullying from our schools and create a safer, more inclusive environment for all.

All this begins with the School Governors admitting their is a problem. Honesty begins in the School boardroom.

Stan Robinson
The Spirit of Bradley Lives On.