The stories we read, hear and watch when growing up go on to have a significant impact on our lives as adults.
We know schools often use the power of stories to help prevent bullying. There are many books and film that help raise the issue of bullying and either help children to empathise and become ‘upstanders’ in school, stop bullying behaviour or realise that they can speak out about bullying.
You can find some resources below to help you make anti-bullying change in school using books and film.
The BBC said that:
"scientists have found that children who have fiction read to them regularly find it easier to understand other people – they show more empathy and have better developed theory of mind (the ability to understand that other people have different thoughts and feelings to us, which is essential for understanding and predicting other people’s thoughts and behaviour)."
Choosing a resource
Bullying is a sensitive and complex area. There are a lots of ways of approaching the subject - and not everyone will agree on the best method. It may also be that a resource works well in one setting, with one group of children and young people, but works less well in another. For this reason we would urge you to take the following steps when choosing an anti-bullying resource from this website, or from other sources:
- Make sure you familiarise yourself with the resource (e.g. if it's a film - watch it all the way through).
- Consider whether the resource may provoke strong reactions in any students, or may lead to difficult discussions. How will you manage these?
- Consider whether you need to consult with parents and carers on using the resource.
- Consider whether the resource is suitable for the age group you are working with.
- Consider whether you need to adapt the resource in any way to make it suitable for the group or individuals that you are working with.
‘You’re So Real’: Film and School Resource Pack
The Anti-Bullying Alliance and Haringey Shed have partnered to create a school resource pack to support KS2 and KS3 teachers using the film ‘You’re So Real’.
Developed alongside young people, ‘You’re So Real’ is a filmed live performance that aims to engage and educate children and young people, giving them space to explore and reflect on what challenges may come their way in the future. The performance addresses themes of anti-bullying, mental health, mobile phones and social media at school, and emphasises the importance of being kind to others and yourself. It aims to help support children affected identify someone they trust to talk about their situation.
Download the resource pack here.
The resource pack explores themes relating to:
- Screen use and digital habits
- Online identity and authenticity
- Online bullying and digital wellbeing
- Wellbeing and mental health
- Peer relationships and social pressure
- Communication and empathy
- Asking for help and seeking support
The lessons are structured to be delivered across 2 sessions, and schools can adapt delivery based on:
- Available curriculum time
- Student age and maturity
- Safeguarding considerations
- Existing PSHE/RSE provision
The materials are designed primarily for KS2 (upper) and KS3 learners, and include guidance notes to adapt them for younger or older students.