EDUCATION bosses have launched a crackdown on homophobic bullying in schools.

Headteachers across the borough attended a conference in Bury to draw up an action plan, in preparation for Anti-Bullying Week on November 20-24.

The gay rights alliance Stonewall has produced an information pack for schools. It says that four in five secondary school teachers are aware of verbal homophobic bullying and that one in four knows about physical bullying, but only six per cent of British schools have fully inclusive anti-bullying policies.

Stonewall says that gay pupils often feign illness and drop out of school early to avoid bullying.

Lesley Davidson, schools anti-bullying officer, said: "The effects of homophobic bullying are damaging to lesbian, gay and bisexual young people.

"Homophobic language in school needs to be challenged by those in authority and also other young people. A culture where any sort of bullying exists makes schools unsafe for everyone."

Councillor Maggie Gibb, executive member for children and young people, said: "We realise that some people would be apprehensive about their child's exposure to these issues but, by working with the Department for Education and organisations such as Stonewall, we can create an environment in school which includes everyone, regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation."