Teachers told not to use the word bullies to describe children who torment their classmates - in case it upsets them

Teachers have been told not to use the word 'bullies' to avoid upsetting them – and ordered to call in police when pupils are suspected of hate crime .

Latest guidance from the SNP government aimed at cracking down on bullying highlights the importance of tackling prejudice – including misgendering –and 'microaggressions'.

This is the term given to an intentional or unintentional casual slight based on race, culture, beliefs or gender – for example, assuming that someone is foreign-born because of their race or name.

Staff have been instructed not to label children as 'bullies' or 'victims' – as it can be 'disempowering' – and pupil exclusion does not feature in the 57-page document.

Last night, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth was told to 'get a grip by ditching the wokery and protecting the victims of bullying'.

Scottish Tory children and young people spokesman Roz McCall said: 'This guidance might be full of warm words but it also fails to address the serious issues that our teachers are having to deal with every single day.

'That is typical of the SNP who have dithered and delayed as violence has soared in Scotland's schools.

'It has consequences if we are asking teachers to record incidents based on ideology, rather than allowing them to show some common sense and get on with teaching.'

Separate Scottish Government research published last year found violence, aggression and disruptive behaviour in schools have risen sharply. But the guidelines state: 'Labelling children and young people as 'bullies' or 'victims' can be disempowering and is unhelpful in supporting them to change their behaviour, or in scaffolding their recovery from a bullying experience.'

Terms such as 'child displaying bullying behaviour' and 'child experiencing bullying behaviour' are preferred.

However, the guidance states that the 'nature of some behaviours may constitute criminal offences, and advice should be sought from Police Scotland where there are significant concerns'.

The document also stresses the importance of recording all incidents and being alert to prejudice as an aspect of bullying, which could then fall foul of the Hate Crime Act.

Bullying of youngsters who identify as trans can be manifested in many different ways, it says, including 'deliberately misgendering'.

The guidelines also state that it is 'crucial to help [bullies] recognise the harm their behaviour causes, repair relationships when possible and desired, and challenge prejudicial attitudes through education and building empathy'.

Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, said: 'This woke guidance is totally inadequate.

'The soft and 'inclusive' approach it promotes is more likely to encourage bullies than to deter them.

'It places children in danger and undermines the authority of hard-pressed teachers facing daily thuggery in the classroom.

'Bullying, including online bullying, should be treated as crossing a red line that results in exclusion and, for a second offence, expulsion.'

Ms Gilruth said: 'I am committed to creating safe, inclusive, and supportive environments where children and young people can thrive.'