Teachers scared of ‘banter’ as ‘sharing jokes’ with students clamped down

"Banter" is a serious problem in schools, say one in four teachers.

More than three in five (62%) agreed that there was a fine line between banter and bullying, according to a ­survey commissioned by the Anti-Bullying Alliance.

And 84% of teachers said they have received no training on how to deal with banter to avoid ending up like Greg Davies’ character Mr Gilbert in The Inbetweeners, who mocked his pupils.

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Martha Evans, of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, said: "Banter is a fun part of communication but too often bullying behaviours are dismissed as 'just banter'."

Professor Lucy Betts, from Nottingham Trent University, added: "In most cases, sharing jokes and banter with friends can be fun and can help strengthen these friendships. However, when the banter crosses the line of acceptability, these behaviours may become bullying."

Students are faring just fine on their own, especially one who credits their "gift from God" for landing them a mistaken £850,000.

University student Sibongile Mani, 32, was set to receive an £85 benefit. But after checking the finances for herself, a few extra zeroes had appeared on the end of her claim, the Daily Star reported.

Writing on her blog, Sibongile claimed: "What I am facing is not fair at all. The money I got in my account back then I spent it without thinking twice because God doesn't give his gifts by hand only.‌

"I thought it was miracle money. If only I knew at the time it would end like this. I am writing this with a sad heart. I will stay strong until I leave prison although it will be hard."

Mani’s lawyer Mr Pakade said: "She is very relieved and very happy that she does not have to go to prison and is looking forward to putting all this behind her and starting again. She is putting her life which was left in tatters back together again and is looking forward to starting afresh and is very grateful that the court took the decisions that it took."

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