Bullying

Children suggest approaches to stop bullying

Despite every school having an anti-bullying policy, it is still a big problem. This programme looks at new research into bullying that asked children how they think the problem could be tackled better.

Anti-Bullying

How differences in appearance can trigger bullying episodes

A 16-year-old girl talks about the bullying that ensued as a result of her haircut when she started secondary school, in this PSHE lesson and assembly starter for primary and secondary pupils. The girl explains how an adventurous hairstyle she had cut as she started secondary school caused her to suffer terrible bullying at the hands of other pupils. She was confident and popular at her primary school, and was only bullied when she moved to secondary school, highlighting how the transition from primary to secondary can sometimes be fraught for pupils. This video can be used to start discussions on questions including; why are people bullied because of their appearance, and does this happen a lot?

Appearance

A headteacher talks about improving anti-bullying methods

A headteacher, who faced the challenge of taking in pupils from a nearby closed school, talks about how new pupils were welcomed in and anti-bullying methods were improved to create a smooth transition for all. In 2006, headteacher Deborah Tague decided to review the overall ethos of the school, as staff prepared to integrate existing pupils with the new influx of students. Working together, the staff and pupils chose six core words to form the foundations of how pupils should behave: equality, respect, happiness, opportunity, courage and honesty. A number of methods have since been adopted to prevent bullying, including restorative practices in the nurture room, a buddy bus stop outside, a post box where pupils post their concerns and circle time, where pupils can share their thoughts and ideas. Behavioural Support Worker, Lisa Williamson, plays confidante to the pupils who wish to resolve any issues that are troubling them and talks about how the children have learned to get along.

Beat Bullying Throughout the School

A bullying incident prompts a governors' debate

This programme contains useful information, advice and discussion especially for governors. It is of value to school governors keen on understand more about their role and how to ensure they act in the best interests of their school. We see a panel of school governors discussing their responsibilities in relation to a series of events in a hypothetical school. After watching a series of reconstructions they debate where the duties of the school governors lie. School governor expert, Paul McGann, monitors the panel's discussion, providing advice and guidance on dealing with the issues raised. In this programme, the team debate what needs to be done after a parent brings claims her daughter is being bullied. The discussion looks at how to handle parents' complaints and the governors' role in a school's anti-bullying policy. The team also discuss the use of mobile phones during school hours and try to define exactly what bullying is.

Safe-guarding vulnerable children in Hampshire and Sunderland

Sir Al Aynsley-Green, the children's commissioner for England, visits two schools to identify new and successful strategies to deal with bullying. During his trips to Portway Junior School in Hampshire and Thornhill Secondary School in Sunderland, Sir Al suggests ways of safe-guarding different groups of vulnerable children by looking at best practice.

Combating Bullying

Discover two schools' creative anti-cyberbullying strategies

This KS2-KS4 lesson-planning resource shows the impacts of cyberbullying and how children can become cyberbullies. It supports Every Child Matters and addresses human health and safety, and personal and social skills. See a drama played out in a PSHE lesson at Bradon Forest School, Purton, depicting a cyberbully accused of posting a picture online without consent. ICT is also used to help create storyboards. At St Mary's C of E Primary School, Purton, the pupils create dramas to learn about cyberbullying, also making lists of their rights and responsibilities when using computers and mobile phones. On hand to provide parents, teachers and pupils with guidance on dealing with cyberbullying is Childnet Education Manager, Ellen Ferguson.

Combating Cyberbullying

See the risk of misinterpreting a text, for primary and secondary

This primary and secondary lesson starter resource demonstrates to Key Stage 2-4 pupils how people's intentions can be misunderstood in emails and texts. A secondary schoolgirl receives a text message from her friend and, due to the lack of face-to-face speech, and room for misinterpretation, she's offended and distressed. This video highlights how cyberbullying can start innocently. It addresses personal and social skills and supports Every Child Matters, and is designed to stimulate KS2-KS4 classroom discussion around e-safety.

Combating Cyberbullying: Inadvertent Bullying

A primary and secondary lesson idea on e-safety and anti-bullying

Teach primary and secondary PSHE pupils the risks and impacts of cyberbullying. This classroom resource can open discussion around Every Child Matters issues including e-safety, anti-bullying and personal and social skills. A primary school pupil becomes the victim of cyberbullying after a picture of her taken at a friend's birthday party is posted online. The picture is uploaded onto a social networking site without her knowledge, causing her distress.

Combating Cyberbullying: Posting Pictures without Consent

Combating internet and text bullying, for primary and secondary

This classroom resource helps primary and secondary PSHE pupils learn effective ways of dealing with cyberbullying. This lesson starter addresses human health and safety and supports Every Child Matters. Cyberbulling is an issue for staff and pupils at both primary and secondary level. 20 per cent of young people claim to have had first-hand experience of bullying or threats via emails, chat rooms or texts. This video encourages classroom discussion around e-safety, helping pupils know how to respond when a secondary pupil is being cyberbullied.

Combating Cyberbullying: Suffering in Silence

A 14-year-old describes her experiences of cyberbullying

Examining the effects of cyberbullying, this short PSHE video for primary and secondary pupils uses the case of a 14-year-old girl to show how serious the consequences can be. This lesson and assembly starter explains how cyberbullying is a new form of bullying that takes place over the internet, by email and in text messages, taking bullying from the school grounds into the victim?s home. Here, a 14-year-old girl describes how a few nasty text messages rapidly became something much worse for her, causing her to suffer severe depression and attempt suicide. This short video can be used to begin discussions with pupils on cyberbullying, such as what they would do if they or their friends were being cyberbullied.

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

Whole school

> Primary Bullying