Anti-Bullying Week Resources

*This post has been updated in 2023

The 13th to the 17th November 2023 is Anti-Bullying Week. It is officially coordinated by the Anti-Bullying Alliance and is an annual event which is held in the 3rd week of November each year. The prevention of bullying must be a priority for us all. Adults, as well as children, can be subjected to bullying. Workplaces as well as schools and educational institutions have a duty of care to protect employees/students from bullying in all of its various forms. 

Anti-Bullying Week was first observed in 2002. Over the last 20 years Anti-Bullying Week has grown in popularity and significance, becoming a priority event for children, schools and families. The Anti-Bullying Alliance revealed 80% of schools in the UK now take part in Anti-Bullying Week. The event is now estimated to reach over 7.5 million young people. 

The Anti-Bullying Alliance have revealed key statistics highlighting the importance of this awareness week. 

• 30% of children have been bullied in the last year.
• 17% have experienced cyber-bullying. 
• One child in every classroom is subjected to bullying every day. 

The negative impact bullying can have on our mental health, physical health and wellbeing should not be underestimated. For those who were bullied as children, the effects of this could continue into their adult life. Understandably, bullying can severely impact our sense of self-worth, our confidence and mental health. The Anti-Bullying Alliance have revealed adults who were bullied as children are more likely to…

• Have a variety of mental health issues
• Earn less money
• Be unemployed
• Struggle with their weight
• Be involved in unstable relationships
• Have less academic qualifications 

The above examples clearly demonstrate the need to put an end to bullying. Education and awareness are absolutely paramount to achieving this. 

We have conducted research into Anti-Bullying Week learning resources. There are a huge range of resources available to use in the classroom and within the school setting making it easy for teaching staff to incorporate anti-bullying into their busy classroom schedules. 

Anti-Bullying Alliance

The first stop for resources is the Anti-Bullying Alliance website. As the coordinators of this annual event, they have a fantastic bank of resources to fully support the message of their yearly campaign. They have put together both a primary school pack and a separate secondary school pack. 

BBC

The BBC have created a collection of resources to support your teaching during Anti-Bullying Week. The resources provided have been designed for both primary and secondary pupils.

School of Kindness

The School of Kindness can provide you with School Kindness Workshops which are bookable via their website. Spread the message of kindness and compassion all year round. 

NSPCC

The NSPCC have a variety of resources and support available for teaching staff. The resources available include information on bullying and cyberbullying, anti-bullying policy statement examples and Stop Speak Support school pack. 

2023 Theme

The 2023 theme for Anti-Bullying Week is Make A Noise About Bullying. "The theme of Make A Noise About Bullying came about following consultation with teachers and pupils by the Anti-Bullying Alliance which coordinates Anti-Bullying Week every year in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Teachers and children wanted a theme that empowered them to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes.

Following the success of the campaign in 2022 – when 80% of schools marked the week, reaching over 7.5 million children and young people – Anti-Bullying Week will remind everyone whether it’s in school, at home, in the community or online, we can bring an end to bullying."

As well as using the available resources during Anti-Bullying Week, there are a variety of simple activities designed to promote kindness, such as asking the children to draw around their hands on paper, cut the outline out and then move around the classroom writing one kind word on the other children’s paper hands. Another example of activities to promote friendship and kindness in the classroom is choosing one kind word and listing as many synonyms of the word as possible; a great opportunity to broaden vocabulary as well as spreading positivity! You can find more anti-bullying activities for schools here.

If you are searching for ways to make your classroom a kinder environment, built on mutual respect then our blog article ‘How Do You Foster A Classroom Founded On Mutual Respect, Kindness and Support’ is here to help. If you want to find out more about the benefits of kindness for us all, then ‘How Being Kind is Good For Your Mind’ is also an ideal article to read next.