Anti-Bullying
Bullying is behaviour that hurts someone else. It can happen anywhere – at school, at home or online. It's usually repeated over a long period of time and can cause hurt both physically and emotionally. The effects of bullying can last into adulthood.
By law, all state (not private) schools must have a behaviour policy in place that includes measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils. This policy is written by the school and all teachers, pupils and parents must be told where to find it. Best practice for behaviour policies is to write them in consultation with all stakeholders. Our Learner Participation Award offers an ideal opportunity to explore this further.
Generic support
Tootoot is a pupil voice and safeguarding app which enables pupils to report incidents of bullying or other concerns from any device and then for school staff to be to manage and respond effectively to that report. It enables schools to track, monitor and respond to all sorts of wellbeing concerns and safeguarding issues.
The Anti-bullying Alliance is a coalition of organisations and individuals working together to stop bullying and create safe environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn. A section of their website is dedicated to resources for schools. The ABA also coordinate Anti-Bullying Week activities each year.
Respect Me is Scotland’s anti-bullying service that provides advice and support for adults and young people. There is information on their website for teachers and parents about how to keep children and young people safe from bullying.
MindEd website has a session aimed at more experienced/specialist users and provides some basic information about childhood bullying, victimisation and its consequences on victims’ mental health and well-being. It also covers what bullying is and how it may affect children’s lives, in order to provide adequate and appropriate support to the victims.
PSHE Association has a fantastic source of information and resources, the PSHE Association produces resources, hosts external resources that you can use with confidence, as they have been through a rigorous process of achieving their Quality Assurance Mark. They also signpost resources that fall outside of these categories, though many of the resources will prove useful to your practice.
Kidscape provide training, support and advice to children, parents, schools and those in professional contact with young people, enabling them to gain knowledge and develop the confidence and skills to challenge abuse and bullying in all its forms. Kidscape have produced resources and lesson plans cover a range of topics surrounding the issues of bullying, online and personal safety. There is a range of material that can be used directly by young people and parents within the home, as well as classroom resources to be used by professionals within schools and youth organisations.
Bullying UK is a part of Family Lives, a national family support charity providing help and support in all aspects of family life. They have lots of advice, support and forums on their website and have pages of information about bullying in school.
The Bully Busters website contains information and practical advice on bullying for young people and parents, as well as contact details for their free helpline.
Childline has information on how to stay safe from bullying, and how not to be a bully.
NSPCC are the leading children's charity in the UK, specialising in child protection and dedicated to the fight for every childhood. They are the only UK children's charity with statutory powers and which means they can take action to safeguard children at risk of abuse. Information on their website about Bullying and Cyber-bullying, research and resources can be found here.
Parentzone provide support and information to parents, children and schools, working globally to help families to navigate the internet safely and confidently. They work with parents, schools, governments and businesses to study, understand and address the impact of emerging technologies on young people.
The Diana Award Campaign involves a number of different projects aimed at reducing bullying in schools. One of their main projects is the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors programme which offers free training to young people across the UK to lead on anti-bullying campaigns in their schools.
R time (Relationships to Improve Education) resources with an emphasis on creating effective, respectful relationships by way of Random Pair work. R time has been shown to improve behaviour, reduce bullying, raise self-esteem and accelerate learning.
Online or cyber bullying
Rise Above resources include this lesson plan, PowerPoint and accompanying video to encourage students to explore the meaning and impact of bullying and cyber bullying.
The Cybersmile Foundation is a multi award winning anti cyber bullying non-profit organisation. They are committed to tackling all forms of digital abuse and bullying online, and working to promote diversity and inclusion by building a safer, more positive digital community.
Homophobic, biphobic and transphobic (HBT) bullying
The Rainbow Flag Award is a national quality assurance framework for all schools and colleges, focusing on LGBT+ inclusion and visibility. The award encourages a whole organisation approach to LGBT+ inclusion, as well as developing strategies to combat LGBT phobic bullying. Through self-assessment and ongoing monitoring and feedback, schools and colleges are offered a variety of interventions, helping them meet set standards in six key areas.
Ditch the Label is an international anti-bullying charity, who aspire to equality, free from all types of bullying. They offer digital support programmes for young people aged 12 - 24. Their mission is to combat bullying by tackling the root issues.
Stonewall delivers training to teachers through Train the Trainer courses. These courses give pastoral, anti-bullying and PSHE leads the knowledge, tools and confidence to train colleagues on tackling HBT bullying and celebrating difference, as well as meeting the requirement of the new Ofsted inspection framework. Stonewall also produce resources including lesson plans and DVDs for primary and secondary schools.
The LGBT Consortium are a nationwide partnership of LGBT organisations that has been delivering an innovative national project. The project works with schools across England, in conjunction with young LGBT people, to help school staff understand and tackle HBT bullying and provide more supportive school environments so every young LGBT person can feel safe whilst undertaking their education. As part of their work on this project, LGBT Consortium partners are producing factsheets and resources around policies and procedures for schools.
Racist bullying
The Show Racism the Red Card resource is for use from Year 4 upwards and focuses predominantly on racism in football, but also aims to promote involvement as active responsible citizens in an increasingly diverse society.
Tackling Islamophobia in Schools is a secondary resource developed by the Children's Commissioner for Wales to help increase awareness of Islamophobia, tackle common myths and misconceptions about Islam.
Disablist Bullying
Tackle Bullying has definitions and advice to address and prevent disablist bullying.
Don't forget to document your emotional health and wellbeing work as part of your Healthy Schools Award!