Anti-bullying Week 2023: Celebrating differences

Monday 13 November marks the beginning of Anti-Bullying Week 2023. It is a time to celebrate everybody’s differences and emphasise there is no shame in being different. This is vitally important because of the backdrop of divisions and arguments around Brexit, Black Lives Matter and trolling on social media. Divisions across society have become more stark in recent years - for example, recent research found that 95% of young Black Britons have heard and witnessed racist language at school. Taking time to highlight the importance of including others, celebrating differences and respecting others will lead to happier individuals and school communities.

Michal in storyworld series Secrets of the Opera

The theme for Anti-Bullying Week 2023 is "Make A Noise About Bullying." This event is an important initiative aimed at raising awareness about bullying and promoting a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusivity in schools and communities. Here is a great short film which teachers can share with their students.

In 2023, Anti-Bullying Week will take place from Monday, November 13th, to Friday, November 17th. The week will begin with Odd Socks Day on Monday, November 13th. On Odd Socks Day, both adults and children are encouraged to wear odd socks as a way to celebrate what makes each individual unique and different. It's a fun and symbolic way to show support for diversity and inclusivity.

Our Secrets of the Opera storyworld series showcases inspiring human stories that will get students to think more deeply about bullying and the effect it can have. Students have the opportunity to meet a range of inspiring people with fascinating stories and are invited to consider how bullying affects others in a highly personal way. Students can:

Explore the Big Ballet Studio storyworld and meet Michal, a young man with aspirations to become an ice hockey player, who unexpectedly discovered his love and talent for ballet.
Discover activities that challenge the idea of gender stereotypes.
Discuss the reasons why Michal was initially reluctant to reveal his ballet career to his friends.
Meet opera prompter Lini, in the Main Stage storyworld. Find out why Lini set aside her dreams of being an opera singer because of the judgemental behaviour of her peers.

These interactive spaces and soundscapes, multimedia content, and real-life stories offer an ideal stimulus for discussions on bullying, prejudice and how change starts with us.

The Lyfta platform contains over 100 ready-made lesson and assembly plans that teachers can use or adapt such as the assembly plan that focuses on challenging stereotypes and looks at Michal's story, and his hobby which makes him stand out. The film in this storyworld is a great way to reflect on celebrating differences and accepting those that break from the norm.

National curriculum objectives in PSHE (KS2) fit perfectly with this lesson and Anti-Bullying Week. R32 is about respecting the differences and similarities between people and recognising what they have in common with others; L9. about stereotypes; how they can negatively influence behaviours and attitudes towards others; strategies for challenging stereotypes.

United nations sustainable development goals

The 17 SDGs

This lesson ties in nicely with the Sustainable DevelopmentGoals (SDGs) 3, 4, 5, 10, and 16, which are all about good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, reduced inequalities, and peace, justice and strong institutions.

We believe that it is imperative for our children to know what the SDGs are and to feel empowered to make a positive contribution to a better and more sustainable world.

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