Find help and support
If you need help or advice about bullying there are helplines and websites that can provide you with information and support:
ChildLine: ChildLine is the UK's free, confidential helpline for children and young people. They offer advice and support, by phone and online, 24 hours a day. Whenever and wherever you need them, they'll be there. Call 0800 1111. They have a designated page for bullying issues that includes a new video about building up your confidence after bullying.
Direct Gov: Information for young people on cyberbullying, bullying on social networks, Internet and email bullying, bullying on mobile phones, bullying at school, what to do about bullying, and information and advice for people who are bullying others and want to stop.
EACH : EACH has a freephone Helpline for children experiencing homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying or harassment: 0808 1000 143. It’s open Monday to Friday 10am-5pm.
Victim Support: They offer support to young people affected by crime. Their Children and Young People's (CYP) Service also deals with cases of bullying; offering advice and working with professionals to ensure young people get the support they need. You can call their Supportline for free on 08 08 16 89 111
The websites below have lots of information and advice for anyone who has experienced bullying.
If someone makes you feel uncomfortable or upset online, talk to an adult you can trust, such as a relative or a teacher. If you would prefer to talk to someone in confidence you can contact Childline (0800 1111)
If someone has acted inappropriately online towards you, or someone you know, you can report directly to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP). It could be sexual or threatening chat, or being asked to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable or someone asking to meet up.
This year’s Anti Bullying campaign focuses on each individual making a difference with the slogan – ‘Change Starts With Us’. Through the year we will be inspiring the children to look at how they can make small positive changes to their own behaviour, which can have a positive impact on their friends, peers, the school and the wider community.
The Buddy-Up Scheme
This year to we have introduced a ‘Buddy-Up’ scheme to encourage the children to reflect upon what makes a good friend. Each class has been buddied up with a class from another year group and through their termly meetings the children will build a relationship with someone new.
Year 2 and Year 5 have had their first sessions together and it has proven to be a real success. The children said:
Amelia Y2 “It was really fun, she (her buddy) was really helpful. I was nervous before meeting her, I get really nervous before meeting new people.”
At the end of the session Amelia had a great suggestion, she asked the class teacher if the children could buddy up for a maths lesson. “ I think it will be really fun and if I struggle with something it would be really helpful.”
Finley Y2 “It went good, he showed me his desk. I am happy meeting another person. Really good because I never met a year 5 before.
Joel Y5 “ It was really nice to spend time with younger children. He (his buddy) was really energetic and we got to play on the computers and he wanted to do junk modelling. I gave him a high five and it was easy to talk to him”
Ella Y5 “ She was quiet, she really likes colouring, the thing I liked best about it was I got to spend time with younger children…I feel ground up”
Leon Y5 “You have to lower your voice, no shouting. He picked a game, I picked a game….. we had to take it in turns”
Sophia Y5 “They can choose first…I had to be friendly because they are younger”
All the children I spoke to were positive about the scheme and they could see how their behaviour and attitude can affect how others feel. The older children thought that kindness and respect were very important when meeting younger child and the younger children felt more confident having met an older child.
More ‘Buddy-Up’ sessions are planned soon, please ask your child about their ‘Buddy-Up’ experience
This years slogan for Anti Bullying Week is 'Change Starts With Us'.
Please take a look at the Assembly Slides to see what the children have been up to.
Don't forget the children can enter a competition to design a mirror frame and winning entries will be displayed in school.
Please keep an eye out for more news over the coming terms.