From 11th to 15th November 2024, all Melrose Education marked Anti-Bullying Week with a strong commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment where bullying is not tolerated. The week was an opportunity for staff and learners at the schools to raise awareness about bullying, its impact, and the importance of empathy and kindness in creating a supportive school community.
All Melrose Educations schools are proud to be a member of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, a coalition of organisations dedicated to tackling bullying in schools and promoting kindness, respect, and inclusion. Membership in this alliance reflects the group’s shared ethos of creating safe, inclusive environments across all its schools, where every learner is valued and supported.
Tracey Storey, CEO and Executive Chair of Melrose Education, emphasised the importance of this initiative:
“Bullying has no place in our schools. Through our membership in the Anti-Bullying Alliance, we are united in our commitment to fostering respect and acceptance, ensuring every child feels safe and empowered to reach their full potential. Anti-Bullying Week is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen these values across all our schools.”
At Break Through School, in Belvedere, Bexley, staff and learners took part in a variety of activities throughout the week. While bullying lacks a strict legal definition, it is widely understood as behaviour that is repeated, intended to cause physical or emotional harm, and often targeted at specific groups based on characteristics like race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. It can take many forms, including physical assault, teasing, threats, name-calling, and cyberbullying.
The school focused on educating learners about these behaviours and highlighting the values of compassion and respect. Staff and learners wore odd socks as a symbol of individuality and acceptance, reinforcing the message that differences should be celebrated, not targeted.
Ruth Elliott, Principal of Break Through School, shared her thoughts on the week:
“At Break Through, we believe in creating an environment where every individual feels safe, valued, and supported. Anti-Bullying Week allows us to spotlight the importance of empathy and kindness, empowering our learners to stand against bullying and promote inclusion. These are values that lie at the very heart of our school ethos.”
Break Through School, together with Melrose Education, remains dedicated to promoting positive behaviour, raising awareness, and providing safe spaces where learners can thrive without fear of bullying.