Anti-Bullying Week is coordinated in England and Wales by the Anti-Bullying Alliance. This year it will take place from 14th to 18th November 2022 and has the theme Reach Out.
In 2019, 80% of schools took part, reaching over 7.5 million children and young people.
Anti-Bullying Week helps raise awareness of bullying amongst children and young people and helps schools tackle bullying that takes place both online and face-to-face. Findings from the Anti-Bullying Alliance show that 86% of young people think Anti-Bullying Week helps schools tackle bullying.
From teachers to support staff and students to parents, we all have a responsibility to help each other reach out for support. And to help with this, there are a range of resources, activities, and events to help raise awareness and support anti-bullying week.
The week will kick off with Odd Socks Day on Monday 14th November, where adults and children wear odd socks to celebrate what makes everyone unique.
Getting Pupils Involved in Anti-Bullying Week
For some pupils, Anti-Bullying Week might be difficult, particularly for those who are being bullied or who are bullying. It's important to consider this during planning to ensure all lessons and activities are delivered sensitively.
• Ask pupils what activities they’d like to see delivered during Anti-Bullying Week.
• Ask pupils what they think about bullying in their school community, ask if they think it happens and what they’d like to see their school do to prevent and respond to it.
• Allow a group of pupils to plan and deliver a school assembly or part of a lesson
Free CPD-certified online training
The Anti-Bullying Alliance has launched a free CPD-certified anti-bullying online training for anyone that works with children and young people. With 14 courses to choose from, topics include
Live Lesson BBC Teach
On Monday 14th November at 11am, a half hour interactive programme for primary schools, highlights some of the issues around bullying and the support available. It will be available to watch via BBC Teach on this page and on the CBBC channel. It has curriculum links to KS2/2nd Level Relationships Education/Health Education/Personal Development and Mutual Understanding/Health and Wellbeing for 7 to 11 year-olds. Anti-bullying Week 2022 – Live Lesson - BBC Teach
Reducing Bullying in Schools
Findings from the Department for Education (DoE) in 2016 reported that one child in each classroom experienced bullying each day. The Longitudinal study of young people in England also revealed that 30 percent of children were bullied in the last year alone. The week can provide the opportunity for schools to review their anti-bullying policy. There are some handy tips to help with developing your anti-bullying policy.
The United Against Bullying (UAB) Programme
This is the Anti-Bullying Alliance’s FREE whole-school anti-bullying programme. It supports schools in their efforts to reduce bullying and improve the wellbeing of all children, focusing on those most at risk, including those with protected characteristics.
Protocol Education is proud to support Anti-Bullying Week 2022 and has signed up to the pledge to help reduce bullying. We will be supporting the week by sharing tips and resources on our social media channels.
