Kidscape is a UK charity established specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse. We believe passionately, that all children have the right to grow up in a world free from bullying and abuse, and that all adults should keep children safe and help them to reach their full potential.

Pick a few students to share their definitions , words or phrases. Before bringing up the answer, ask the students how they would define bullying. Pick a few students to share their definitions , words or phrases. Go through the Anti-Bullying Alliance’s* definition of bullying on the slide Bullying is the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. *The Anti-Bullying Alliance is a coalition of organisations working together to stop bullying and create safe environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn. Kidscape has been a member of the ABA for 11 years, and alongside eight other charities and organisations, sits on the advisory board.  

Before bringing up the answers ask the students to tell you as many different forms of bullying as they can. Hopefully they will name everything on the list. You can explain that some children and young people may experience a number of these different forms of bullying at the same time. Bullying can be: Verbal: Name calling, persistent teasing, mocking, taunting and threats.  Physical: Any form of physical violence, intimidating behaviour, theft or the intentional damage of possessions. This includes hitting, kicking and pushing. Emotional: Excluding, tormenting, ridiculing, humiliation, setting people up and spreading rumours. Cyber bullying: The misuse of digital technologies or communications to bully a person or a group, typically through messages or actions that are threatening and/or intended to cause offence, anxiety or humiliation.

Before bringing up the answers ask the students to tell you as many different forms of bullying as they can. Hopefully they will name everything on the list. You can explain that some children and young people may experience a number of these different forms of bullying at the same time. Bullying can be: Verbal: Name calling, persistent teasing, mocking, taunting and threats.  Physical: Any form of physical violence, intimidating behaviour, theft or the intentional damage of possessions. This includes hitting, kicking and pushing. Emotional: Excluding, tormenting, ridiculing, humiliation, setting people up and spreading rumours. Cyber bullying: The misuse of digital technologies or communications to bully a person or a group, typically through messages or actions that are threatening and/or intended to cause offence, anxiety or humiliation.

Pick up on any of the answers given in the previous slide that cover the following categories. Explain that as well as being verbal, physical, emotional or cyber, bullying can also be… Racist - discrimination based on ethnicity, skin colour, language, religious or cultural practices. Sexual - unwelcome sexual advances or remarks that are intended to cause offence, humiliation or intimidation. Homophobic - discrimination based on sexuality and gender identity. Disablist- the bullying of those with special educational needs and disabilities. Discriminative – bullying based on any perceived difference such as those in fostering or care homes, young carers, those with disabled siblings or parents, diverse family set ups or those with different economic backgrounds than their peers.

Pick up on any of the answers given in the previous slide that cover the following categories. Explain that as well as being verbal, physical, emotional or cyber, bullying can also be… Racist - discrimination based on ethnicity, skin colour, language, religious or cultural practices. Sexual - unwelcome sexual advances or remarks that are intended to cause offence, humiliation or intimidation. Homophobic - discrimination based on sexuality and gender identity. Disablist- the bullying of those with special educational needs and disabilities. Discriminative – bullying based on any perceived difference such as those in fostering or care homes, young carers, those with disabled siblings or parents, diverse family set ups or those with different economic backgrounds than their peers.

Ask the students to think about what the possible side effects of bullying are; i.e. how might it make people feel, how might some people react? Bring up the list and ask the students if it is fair to make anyone feel any of these things? Does anyone deserve to feel these things? Bullying has long term effects on the targets of bullying but also on bystanders and those who bully. Children who are bullied are more likely to have lower academic achievements due to avoiding or becoming disengaged with school and be unable to form healthy trusting relationships with others. They may become socially withdrawn, isolated and lonely and develop depression or anxiety. Children who frequently bully others are more likely to drop out of or be expelled from school, abuse alcohol and drugs in adolescence and as adults, engage in criminal behaviour and develop depression or anxiety. Children who witness bullying are more likely to be reluctant to attend school, feel powerless and live in fear and guilt. Bullying affects everyone who is exposed to it. It creates a negative environment based on a culture of fear and limits children and young people in reaching their full academic potential. This must be stopped.

Ask the students to think of reasons why some people may be more likely to get bullied than others. Bring up the list and see if they mentioned everything, and whether or not they added anything. Highlight the fact that no matter what, nobody deserves to be bullied. Tell the students the ‘have an obvious difference’ is highlighted in red for a reason, and then bring up the final text box (next slide).

Highlight that is good to be different and that if everybody was the same, the world would be a boring place. Bring up the research statistics Ask the students if they think it is fair that these young people get bullied more than others. Unfortunately, children with special educational needs and disabilities are often more likely to be bullied because they look or behave differently. These young people may find it harder to interact socially with their peers and join in with group activities. This can lead to isolation and potentially be an additional catalyst for bullying. Based on research carried our by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, 83% of young people with learning difficulties have experienced bullying at some point during their years at school, and 59% of these children experience bullying at least once a week. At Kidscape we believe that no one should be bullied and that every child has the right to feel safe and included in all aspects of life. We believe every child is special and that uniqueness should be celebrated.

Ask the students to think about what they could do if they were being bullied. Give them examples of who they can tell in your setting, drawing on your anti-bullying policy. You might want to explain a bit more about the role of the bystander. Ask the students if anyone can explain to you what this term means. Stress the importance of always telling someone, even if the bullying is not happening to them. If they see it or know it’s going on, they must talk to an adult.

Ask the students to think about what they could do if they were being bullied. Give them examples of who they can tell in your setting; drawing on your anti-bullying policy. You might want to explain a bit more about the role of the bystander. Ask the students if anyone can explain to you what this term means. Stress the importance of always telling someone, even if the bullying is not happening to them. If they see it or know it’s going on, they must talk to an adult.

Ask the students to think about what they can do to prevent bullying in their school. Bullying affects everyone who witnesses it. It turns a safe environment like a school into a hostile and unwelcoming one. Kidscape has a number of other teaching resources, including lesson plans on raising awareness of difference and special educational needs and disabilities. Go to www.kidscape.org.uk/professionals This presentation is also available for KS2.