Anti-Bullying Week 2020 takes place from November 16 to 20 and the Anti-Bullying Alliance has lined up free resources and activity ideas to help schools prepare. Martha Evans offers some advice


This year, more than ever, we have witnessed the positive power that society can generate when we come together to tackle a common challenge.

Anti-Bullying Week is no different. Bullying has a long-lasting effect on those who experience and witness it. But by channelling our collective power, through shared efforts and shared ambitions, we can reduce bullying together.

From parents and carers, to teachers and politicians, and children and young people, we all have a part to play in coming together to make a difference. We are all a piece in the puzzle, and together we are united against bullying. So, my first piece of advice is to use Anti-Bullying Week as a platform for bringing together the school community in a shared celebration of unity, diversity and respect.


Make use of the teaching resources

They are completely free to download and include thought-provoking videos and ideas for assemblies and classes to adapt to your school’s context.

Getting pupils involved can be as simple as encouraging them to wear odd socks to school (see below) or you might want to use the films we have produced with young people as a discussion topic in class. You can pick and choose from the assembly ideas, cross-curricular lesson plans, presentations and posters we have produced to mark Anti-Bullying Week in a way that feels relevant to your school and the ever-changing challenges presented by Covid-19.


Get parents involved too

This year we have produced resources for parents and carers for the first time. We were inspired by the phone calls and emails we receive from parents who are often deeply concerned when they witness their child, or someone else’s, being bullied.

Parents and carers do not always know how to respond, how to start a conversation about bullying with their child, or where to turn to for additional help, so this year we have produced a resource pack with advice and ideas for marking Anti-Bullying Week themselves. It is all part of our vision for conversations about bullying at school to be backed up at home, online and in our communities.


Wear odd socks.

Odd Socks Day takes place during Anti-Bullying Week. It is a simple idea: wear odd socks to school or work on the first day of Anti-Bullying Week (Monday, November 16) to highlight that we are all unique.

We have created a school and workplace pack with support of children's TV star Andy Day and his band Andy and the Odd Socks, with lots of inspiration for making Odd Socks Day a fun and meaningful celebration. There are also school competitions to win a chance to have Andy and the Odd Socks visit your school and a free video assembly to show children on Odd Socks Day.


And finally

We all need to acknowledge the people who make Anti-Bullying Week a success – and that starts with the school staff and pupils who show such enthusiasm and creativity in promoting anti-bullying initiatives. You know who you are, and you can sign-up online and download a certificate to proudly display in your school (see further information).

Of course, there are lots of people the Anti-Bullying Alliance also needs to thank, including SafeToNet, which has supported us year after year, and will be providing its app free for three months to parents if they sign up during Anti-Bullying Week.

We also have some Anti-Bullying Alliance merchandise available. It sells out fast and we have purchased limited stock this year due to Covid-19. But be assured that any profits we make are ploughed back into providing more free teaching resources next year. It is a win-win and everyone loves a coloured wristband, don’t they?



Further information & resources