Learning how to beat bullying

Youngsters sitting on the school council at Anston Park Infants School decided they wanted to invite a guest along to explain some of the issues surrounding bullying.

So Sue Horton, anti-bullying officer at Rotherham Council, went into the school to work with the children for a day.

“Sue came in and worked with each class and talked about bullying, what it means and how it effects people,” said headteacher Amanda Tyler.

“The children learned that bullying is often not just a one off incident, but something that can be more long term.”

“She also told them that bullying isn’t always physical and can be about hurting someone’s feelings.”

“The children all got a lot out of it, and it was good to get them talking about the importance of being kind to each other and how to be a good friend.”

The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) established Anti-bullying Week in 2006.

The theme of this year’s week was ‘We’re better without bullying’ and aimed to raise awareness of the effects of bullying on the lives of children and young people and to bring about positive change.

Figures released by the ABA to launch the week revealed that more than 90 per cent of children say they have been bullied, or have seen someone be bullied, simply for being intelligent or talented.

This year the campaign highlighted how bullying can hold children back from achieving their full potential.

For more information about anti-bullying week and the work of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, visit www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk