PT Cambs Oct 2017

Anti-Bullying Week 2017
Anti-Bullying Week shines a
spotlight on bullying and
encourages all children and
young people, teachers and
parents to talk about and take
action against bullying.
Anti-Bullying Week is
coordinated by the Anti-
Bullying Alliance and it takes
place from 13th - 17th
November 2017 and, this year,
is supported by SafeToNet
(www.safetonet.com)
'All Different, All Equal'
The organisers of Anti-Bullying Week
want to empower children and young
people to celebrate what makes them,
and others, unique, and to understand
how important it is that every child feels
able to be themselves, without fear of
bullying.
The theme is based on the views of
almost 600 children and young people
who completed an Anti-Bullying Alliance
survey, as well as consultation with ABA’s
many members. Young people said that
they wanted to talk about tackling
bullying that comes about because
someone else sees them as different.
Why is Anti-Bullying Week
important for primary school
aged children?
Primary school is a great time to teach
children to empathise and celebrate what
makes them and others different. This is
especially important when preparing
children for secondary school. Every child
should understand that bullying is never
acceptable and that they must speak to
an adult they trust.
How can schools and parents
get involved?
There are lots of ways to get
involved in Anti-Bullying Week
2017:
• Teachers can access free Anti-Bullying
Week lesson and assembly ideas, cross
curricular activities and other useful
resources – see
www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/
anti-bullying-week/resources-schools
• Share your school’s Anti-Bullying Week
work on social media using
#AntiBullyingWeek #AllDifferentAllEqual
and tagging @ABAonline in your posts.
• Raise funds for the work of the Anti-
Bullying Alliance
• Order Anti-Bullying Week merchandise
Tips for parents on responding
to bullying…
If your child is
being bullied,
don't panic! Your
key role is
listening,
calming and
providing
reassurance that
the situation can
get better when
action is taken.
• Listen and reassure
them that coming to
you was the right thing
to do.
• Try and establish the
facts. It can be helpful
to keep a diary of
events to share with
the school.
• Don't encourage
retaliation to bullying -
such as violent
actions. It's important
for children to avoid
hitting or punching an
abusive peer. Reacting that way has
negative and unpredictable results.
Rather, suggest that they walk away and
seek help.
• Find out what your child wants to
happen next. Help to identify the choices
open to them; the potential next steps to
take; and the skills they may have to help
solve the problems.
• Encourage your child to get involved in
activities that build their confidence and
self-esteem, and help them to form
friendships outside of school, or wherever
the bullying is taking place.
• Discuss the situation with your child's
teacher or Head teacher - or the lead
adult wherever the bullying is taking
place. Every child has a right to a safe
environment in which to learn and play.
• Schools must have a behaviour policy
which sets out the measures that will be
taken to prevent all forms of bullying
between pupils. Ask to see it!
For more information:
Read more about Anti-Bullying week at
www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/
anti-bullying-week
14 Primary Times Cambridgeshire . October 2017