Bullying can affect a child’s confidence, wellbeing and experience of school. Recognising the signs early and responding appropriately can help create a safer, more inclusive environment for every pupil.
Anti-Bullying Week 2026 takes place from the 16th to the 20th of November, with this year’s theme being ‘break the silence’. It encourages pupils to speak up and reminds everyone that tackling bullying is a shared responsibility.
Bullying is generally repeated behaviour intended to hurt or intimidate another person. It can take several forms:
Bullying can affect pupils’ mental health, friendships and willingness to attend school. Recognising the warning signs is an important first step towards offering support.
Children may not always feel comfortable speaking up about bullying. Teachers and support staff should look out for changes in behaviour, mood and school engagement.
Common warning signs include:
These signs do not always mean bullying is taking place, but they can be a reason to check in and offer support.
If a pupil tells you they are being bullied, listen without judgement and reassure them that their concerns matter. Avoid dismissing incidents as ‘banter’ or telling pupils to ignore the behaviour.
Explain what will happen next, without promising complete confidentiality, and follow your school’s safeguarding procedures.
If you witness bullying, intervene calmly and prioritise everyone’s safety. Record concerns factually, report incidents through the correct channels and share relevant information with appropriate colleagues.
Following up helps staff identify repeated incidents and ensure pupils receive the right support.
Make sure pupils know who they can approach for help and how to report bullying. Classroom discussions and assemblies can help children understand its impact and learn how to support their peers safely.
Promote kindness, respect and acceptance throughout the school. Challenge harmful language consistently and encourage pupils to appreciate differences. When addressing bullying, support the pupil affected while also setting clear boundaries and helping the pupil responsible understand the impact of their behaviour.
Preventing bullying requires a consistent, whole-school approach. Schools can:
When staff work together, and pupils feel safe speaking up, schools are better placed to identify concerns early and prevent further harm.
Anti-Bullying Week is an opportunity to bring pupils and staff together through assemblies, classroom activities and open conversations.
This year’s theme, ‘break the silence’, encourages schools to help pupils understand that asking for support is a positive step.
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