Last week was Anti-Bullying Week, and throughout the week students took part in activities to help support and raise awareness of the importance of the week. A highlight of the week was Odd Socks Day on Tuesday! Pupils, students and staff demonstrated their support by wearing their weirdest and wackiest odd socks. Wearing odd socks celebrates diversity and acceptance, and gives everyone the opportunity to take part.
Anti-Bullying Week is a special week to encourage everyone – children, teachers and parents – to take a stand against bullying all year round. The organisers of the annual event (The Anti-Bullying Alliance) say they hope this year’s theme – “Choose Respect” – will empower children to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes.
The Anti-Bullying Alliance has released new research that says more than 23% of school children are frequently bullied. A survey of almost 45,000 pupils in England (aged 4-18), showed that one in five experience frequent face-to-face bullying, with rates much higher for those with special educational needs or disabilities.
To combat this, this year was a call to action encouraging all to ‘Choose Respect’. The anti-bullying alliance writes; ‘From playgrounds to parliament, our homes to our phones, together we can bring an end to bullying, which negatively impacts millions of young lives. Imagine a world where respect and kindness thrives — it’s not just a dream, it’s in the choices we make’.
