Anti-Bullying Week 2024 took place from Monday 11th - Friday 15th November, with the theme: Choose Respect. Odd Socks Day took place on Tuesday 12th November, with adults and children being encouraged to wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique.
The theme of Choose Respect came about following consultation with teachers and pupils by the Anti-Bullying Alliance which coordinates Anti-Bullying Week every year in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Teachers and children wanted a theme that empowered them to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes.
Following the success of the campaign in 2023 – when 80% of schools marked the week, reaching over 7.5 million children and young people – this year the aim was to empower children and young people to choose respect.
As usual, schools were able to download free teaching resources and themed assemblies. These resources focused on how we can actively choose respect, and what we can do to stop bullying. We also developed a media, social media and community-based campaign to help bring Anti-Bullying Week to life at home, work and in school.
Our call to action:
From playgrounds to parliament, our homes to our phones, this Anti-Bullying Week let's 'Choose Respect' and bring an end to bullying which negatively impacts millions of young lives.
This year, we’ll empower children and young people to not resort to bullying, even when we disagree and remind adults to lead by example, online and offline.
Imagine a world where respect and kindness thrives — it’s not just a dream, it's in the choices we make. Join us this Anti-Bullying Week and commit to 'Choose Respect'. What will you choose?
How could you Choose Respect?
As usual, schools were able to download free teaching resources and themed assemblies. These focused on the actions we can take to Choose Respect, and what we can do to stop bullying.
Anti-Bullying Alliance patron, CBBC and CBeebies star Andy Day led celebrity support for the campaign, with his band Andy and the Odd Socks. The band released a video for their toe-tapping song, 'Choose Respect', to mark Odd Socks Day on the second day of Anti-Bullying Week. There’s a serious message behind the fun: let’s pull on odd socks to show we’re ALL unique and different, and let’s be kind to each other and respect each other’s individuality.
For older children, the buzz on social media is an important part of Anti-Bullying Week, and a great opportunity for schools to share how they’ve embraced the anti-bullying message. We encouraged everyone to get involved via #AntiBullyingWeek and #ChooseRespect on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
You can find the resources from 'Anti-Bullying Week 2024: Choose Respect' here.
Anti-Bullying Week 2024 was organised by:
- The Anti-Bullying Alliance in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
- respectme, Scotland’s anti-bullying agency
Each organisation developed their own resources and activity to support the week.