HOMOPHOBIC bullying in schools is to be targeted by Waltham Forest Council.

Little is known about the extent of this form of abuse in schools, admitted the council, which started consultation this month to create a strategy to combat the problem.

The council will be surveying 25 per cent of school pupils in the autumn, questioning them about bullying, including homophobic abuse.

Last year there were 217 reported incidents of racist bullying in schools but more information was needed about the extent of homophobic attacks, said social inclusion and behaviour support manager Dawn Gill.

Abuse and taunting of pupils by peers can cause misery to the victim and their families and in some cases lead to suicide said, Ms Gill.

"All children should feel safe and able to express themselves openly," she said. "There is an increased awareness of young people who are questionning and coming to terms with their sexuality.

"Boys particularly can be targeted by their peers for being homosexual using it as a way of abusing and intimidating. It is something that is common in schools throughout Britain and it is a facet of bullying Waltham Forest wants to deal with."

Abuse can be verbal, homophobic jokes, physical threats or attacks, and graffiti.

A strategy is planned to be implemented across the borough in early 2005, aimed at stopping bullying by supporting improved behaviour of pupils, increasing attendance, reducing exclusion, and promoting pupils' emotional well-being, said Ms Gill.

The priority was early intervention and support to prevent the escalation of behaviour problems, she said.

The law requires every school to have a policy to stop bullying and in a recent survey 71 per cent of schools said they had guidelines in place, said Ms Gill.

The council will also be starting a pilot scheme to improve children's social, emotional and behaviour skills at 15 primary schools in September and across the borough in 2005 .

Ms Gill said: "We want to help children develop those skills and we want to develop a systematic approach so that excellence becomes the norm."

The aim is to make schools inclusive. "All children should feel safe and able to express themselves openly."