Manchester supports anti-bullying week (19-23 November)

Manchester City Council is supporting this year’s anti-bullying week, which has the theme of ‘Safety in School and the Wider Community’.

It provides opportunities to explore safer routes to and from school, community cohesion, engaging parents/carers in school life and how to counter cyber bullying.

Staff and pupils from seven high schools in the city will be taking part in an anti-bullying conference tomorrow (Thursday 22 November) at the Zion Centre, Hulme.

The schools taking part in the conference are Chorlton High School, Piper Hill, The Barlow, Brookway, Whalley Range, Burnage and Levenshulme.

Each school has devised a ten minute presentation highlighting different kinds of bullying and also practical anti-bullying measures including cyber bullying, prejudice-driven bullying, racism and gossiping, keeping side inside, and buddying.

In addition, the Anti-bullying Policy and Practice Network Group in the city is inviting schools to take advantage of training, resources and support to develop their work in the classroom. Information packs and resources are available from the anti-bullying alliance - www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/  

A DVD called 'Keep an Eye On Bullying' has also been made in association with United Co-op and the Children's Society, schoolchildren, and the Anti-Bullying Young People's Steering Group.

The DVD includes stories and poems aimed at both primary and secondary pupils, and contains additional information for school activities in anti-bullying week, parent and teachers' booklets and guidelines for staff.

The Executive Member for Children's Services, Councillor Sheila Newman, said: "Bullying can be totally destructive both inside and outside school and it is a problem that concerns us all. It is not just a problem within schools but a problem for families and communities to be aware of and to help tackle it. There is a great deal of advice around for teachers, parents and carers and we hope that during this special week more and more pupils who suffer from bullying can be helped."

Media contact:

Jane Lemon, tel: 0161 234 3179