FOI Request - Misogyny and Sexual Harassment in Schools
Request 101003756676
1. Misogyny-Related School Exclusions
a) The number of pupils excluded (both temporary and permanent exclusions) due to misogynistic, sexist, or harassment-related behaviour for each of the past six academic years (2018/19 to 2024/25).
b) A breakdown by school year, gender of excluded pupils, and type of incident where available.
2. Andrew Tate-linked Disruptions in Schools
a) Any reports received from schools about incidents where students referenced Andrew Tate in a way that led to classroom disruption, safeguarding concerns, or disciplinary action (2022–present).
b) Any internal guidance, correspondence, or advice issued to schools regarding Andrew Tate’s influence on pupils.
3. Teacher Training on Tackling Misogyny
a) Any training programmes, guidance, or policies introduced by the local authority to help teachers address misogyny, online radicalisation, or incel ideology among students.
b) The number of teachers or schools that have received such training since 2020.
4. Reports of Sexual Harassment in Schools
a) The number of sexual harassment reports (both pupil-on-pupil and staff-on-pupil) made to schools in each of the past five academic years.
b) A breakdown of the type of incident reported (e.g., verbal harassment, physical harassment, online harassment).
c) The number of cases that resulted in disciplinary action or referral to external agencies.
Response 21-04-2025
1.a) As the exclusion information on SEEMIS does not have a category for misogynistic / sexist incidents, we would have to read through thousands of pupil files to get this information. This task would cost the Council in excess of £600 of staff time. In accordance with section 12 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (excessive cost), we are therefore unable to comply with this part of the request.
However, the bullying and equalities module does record incidents where the perceived reason is sexism and gender but we do not know the outcome of these incidents leading to exclusion. The number of these incidents is below.
b) Bullying & Equalities incidents (sexism and gender)
2020/21 - <5*
2021/22 - <5*
2022/23 - <5*
2023/24 - 6
2024/25 - <5* (March 2025)
* The low numbers associated with this response may result in the identification of individuals. Therefore numbers between 1 and 5 have been redacted and marked with an asterisk instead. This response is exempt under Section 38(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - personal information.
2. No reports have been received. Schools discuss as part of their PSE programme.
3. There is currently no provision at a corporate level.
4. Any incidents would be recorded in pupil & staff files. We would have to read through thousands of pupil files to get this information. This task would cost the Council in excess of £600 of staff time. In accordance with section 12 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (excessive cost), we are therefore unable to comply with this part of the request.