Anti-Bullying Week is a great opportunity for reflection, some highs, some lows but all important learnings for our Anti-Bullying Programme. We wanted to share some of the highs we have experienced over 2023, spotlighting some of the inspirational and dedicated schools doing their bit to stand up to bullying.
To showcase the incredible schools participating in The Diana Award Anti-Bullying Programme, we asked some of our Anti-Bullying Team to choose their favourite school to showcase this Anti-Bullying week. Get inspired below!
ST. MARGARET’S C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL
Gemma, Programme Officer (Youth Development)
The Diana Award believes that Anti-Bullying Week provides us with a great opportunity, to showcase all the various hard work schools have been doing throughout their anti-bullying Ambassador Journey.
St. Margaret’s C of E Primary School stood out to us, as they have produced some fantastic work towards their Wellbeing badge (which they received a mere four4 months after attending a training session). Despite St. Margaret’s working specifically towards the Wellbeing Badge, that did not stop them from simultaneously promoting inclusivity, alongside championing the importance of diversity, through their visually dazzling display. The pupils of St. Margaret’s C of E Primary took part in a whole school Art Project with the theme being ‘Same but Different’. Pupils expanded upon this theme to showcase rainbows and their symbolisation of the LGBTQIA+ community, with each year group having a different style of artwork; we love how visually diverse and appealing the artwork is.
WHITEFRIARS PRIMARY ACADEMY
Megan, Programme Facilitator (Youth Development)
Whitefriars Primary Academy has been doing some fantastic work in their school. They ran a particularly impressive survey where they found out what their peers knew about diversity and inclusion, and then did this survey again at the end of their campaign, to see how their knowledge had changed. An overwhelming 75% of pupils understood that inclusion means 'making things fair and equal' by the end (up from 30%)! They also ran a whole school assembly, a poster competition, and even diversified their class books. Have a look through the following links for their suggestions on where to find inclusive, diverse, and representative books:
What an inspiring school. Incredible work Whitefriars Primary Academy, keep it up!
GUILSBOROUGH ACADEMY
Kate, Programme Manager (Youth Development)
Guilsborough Academy spread the anti-bullying message far and wide to earn their Community badge. We loved their balloon launch for Anti-Bullying Week, featuring biodegradable balloons which contained positive messages found by the local community – one reached a village five miles away! They also arranged an interview with BBC Northampton breakfast show to broadcast their anti-bullying work; a great opportunity to get young voices heard across the area. We were also impressed with their outreach to a local primary school, where the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors planned and delivered a session to Year three pupils, sharing their anti-bullying knowledge and acting as role models. The Ambassadors learned the power of building connections with their community and the importance of making a noise about bullying. Well done!
LOXFORD SCHOOL
Lucy, Programme Facilitator (Youth Development)
Loxford School have been very proactive with their anti-bullying work. Their Anti-Bullying Ambassadors watched the live premiere of The Diana Award's Respect Showcase, which celebrated two years of training schools to tackle racist and sexual bullying behaviour. Inspired by this, Loxford School's Ambassadors took part in a workshop that opened up many engaging conversations. Students shared ideas and stories from their own personal experiences. They ended the session by writing about the various people they respect in their everyday lives and what respect looks like to them. We loved hearing about how students gained insight from a range of different lived experiences. Conversation is an amazing way to foster community and empathy. Good job, Loxford School!
BOUNDARY OAK SCHOOL
Clio, Programme Officer (Youth Development)
The Anti-Bullying Ambassador team at Boundary Oak School have been working incredibly hard to achieve their Wellbeing and Community badges, making so many positive changes in their school and community. Anti-Bullying Ambassadors set up a 'zen zone' mindfulness garden in school, where students can go to learn gardening skills, have some quiet time, and make new friends. The team also placed kind notes, vouchers, flowers and chocolates around their community for local residents to find - in local businesses, in the doctors surgery, and beyond! The Anti-Bullying Ambassadors have clearly made such a difference and brought so much joy to their local area, and they've even been featured in local newspapers three times for all their wonderful anti-bullying work. Well done to all at Boundary Oak School!
Feel inspired by the incredible work being done by schools and young people across the UK? Get your school involved by registering your interest in The Diana Award Anti-Bullying Programme!
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