NSPCC campaign asks schools to take a stand against bullying

The NSPCC is calling on head teachers to sign their school up to its new Defeat Bullying campaign, ahead of Anti Bullying Week 2007 (19 to 23 November).

The children’s charity is offering schools free Defeat Bullying materials that combine lesson ideas, to stimulate pupil discussion and explore attitudes about bullying, with a range of fundraising activities for pupils to take part in during Anti Bullying Week. 

The NSPCC’s Defeat Bullying initiative gives teachers ready to run lesson plans to explore issues around bullying, such as respect and diversity, which are designed to link into the PSHE (Personal, Social, and Health Education) curriculum.

NSPCC head of schools fundraising Denise Derbyshire said: ‘Every year we need to get the message across to more school children that bullying is wrong, and make sure they know how to get help if they are being bullied. Teachers play a key role in stopping bullying, so it’s vital that children feel confident about talking to their teacher and know that action will be taken.

‘Children who are bullied often talk about wanting to be in someone else’s shoes. So with Defeat Bullying we are having fun with the title and asking schools to join in a range of sponsored activities around the theme of ‘feet’, such as “walk a mile in my shoes”, “dancing feet”, and wearing brightly coloured laces, silly socks or funny footwear to mark Anti-Bullying Week.

‘The NSPCC provides a range of services to children in schools, including counselling for pupils, setting up peer support schemes, and developing anti-bullying resources. The charity relies on voluntary donations for over 85% of its funding, so every school that takes part in a Defeat Bullying fundraising day will be helping us to continue and expand on this important work.’

To get a copy of the Defeat Bullying information pack teachers should log on to www.nspcc.org.uk/defeatbullying.