After last year’s Anti-Bullying Week: Make A Noise, the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) conducted a survey asking for members of school staff and children and young people’s opinions on Anti-Bullying Week 2023.
The theme for Anti-Bullying Week 2023 was ‘Make A Noise About Bullying’. The key messages were speaking out about bullying, and understanding the difference between banter and bullying. To evaluate teachers’ and children and young people’s perspectives on Anti-Bullying Week 2023, the ABA asked newsletter subscribers to complete an online survey. There were 81 respondents in total (comprising 72 members of school staff and 9 children and young people).
Results of the survey were than analysed by NTU Psychology staff.
The full analysis can be found in this report.
Overall, Anti-Bullying Week 2023 was enjoyed by many respondents and successfully spread awareness and understanding about bullying. Some of the key findings are highlighted below.
High levels of participation and awareness of Anti-Bullying Week 2023
- 78% participated in Anti-Bullying Week and Odd Socks Day.
- 99% knew what the theme was.
These findings show that the majority of respondents participated in all events related to Anti-Bullying Week. Additionally, the fact that all but one respondent remembered the theme, illustrates that the theme was memorable and impactful.
Anti-Bullying Week 2023 had a positive impact
- 98% agreed that Anti-Bullying Week helps to raise awareness of bullying.
- 84% agreed that Anti-Bullying Week helps to reduce bullying.
- 95% agreed that they enjoy taking part in Anti-Bullying Week and/or Odd Socks Day.
The data shows that a large portion of respondents viewed Anti-Bullying Week 2023 positively and enjoyed participating. They felt that this participation led to a positive change of an increased awareness and that it helped reduce bullying.
The ABA Anti-Bullying Week 2023 resources were rated positively by members of school staff
- 53% of respondents reported that they used the resources from the ABA website.
- Amongst respondents who used them, 58% reported they were ‘excellent’.
These findings highlight that just over half of the school staff members used the resources from the ABA website, and that who used the resources viewed them positively.
Members of school staff also had the chance to provide written feedback in the survey. Overall respondents:
Enjoyed Anti-Bullying Week 2023 and/or Odd Socks Day
“Great week that reinforces messages and brings bullying to the forefront of peoples minds” – School Staff Member.
“Our children know that Odd Socks Day is a way to celebrate us all being unique. They enjoy the activity but understand the meaning behind it” – School Staff Member.
Found the resources were useful and easy to tailor to their school
“The powerpoint resources prompted great discussion from our children and were used throughout the week” – School Staff Member.
“Being able to edit the assembly to meet the individual school needs was very useful” – School Staff Member.
Reported an increase in awareness and understanding of bullying among members of the school community through engaging with Anti-Bullying Week 2023
“It raised awareness and reminded the Pupils and staff that Bullying of any nature is not acceptable in our school or out in our local community” – School Staff Member
“Children were discussing bullying from a positive and prevention-based viewpoint” – School Staff Member.
Found an increase in prosocial behaviour and positive engagement amongst pupils due to participating in Anti-Bullying Week 2023
“The children now appreciate their differences more than before” – School Staff Member.
“More students are now starting to open up about bullying.. bystanders are actually telling stories of what they have witnessed” – School Staff Member.
Felt that Anti-Bullying Week integrated well with wider school events and their anti-bullying policies
“Reinforces the messages our school delivers and allows all children to be involved not simply the Anti-bullying team members” – School Staff Member.
“It really builds on the team building & anti-bullying activities we do in Term 1 when they have just moved into their new classes. Doing it in Term 2 seems to really solidify that learning & resonate with the children in a meaningful way” – School Staff Member.
Guest blog: by Priya Chahal (Nottingham Trent University)