Rss feed

Blog

20th December 2012

School Bus Bullying Survey

In December 2006, 11 year old Ben Vodden took his own life after being bullied on the dedicated school bus.  His father, Paul, has been trying to find out about bullying on school buses but there is very little published information.  With this in mind he has joined with the Diana Awards to produce a questionnaire for those who have experienced bullying on the way to school on the bus.  

The information will be used to find out how much bullying occurs on dedicated school buses and, if there is a lot of it, to use the information to lobby for better care for children on such buses.

As a result of Ben's death we were told of a number of instances where bullying took place on dedicated...
22nd November 2012

“I am” – Pauline Quirke Academy Coventry Empire Cinemas Film Festival 2012

“I am” is a short film about bullying, how being bullied can make you feel isolated and how the effects of bullying can linger into adult life. “I am” the poem was written by a 12 year old girl called Laura and donated to the charity Bullying UK.  PQA Coventry were kindly given permission by Bullying UK to use this poem in the film.

“I am” was presented as one of the winning 16 films at the first PQA / Empire Cinemas Film Festival on 11th November 2012. Selected from over 100 nationwide entries, “I am” also won the Best Film award in its age group category.
 
This prestigious event has seen the Pauline Quirke Academy partner with Empire Cinemas to showcase the very best film-making talent from across their 45 academies in the UK and Europe. Students at PQA receive training every Saturday in film & television alongside modules in musical theatre and comedy & drama and students worked for many...
17th October 2012

Bullying Poem by J Eardley

Bully Rights and Consequences What makes you so special, To make someone feel low, With words or threats of violence, To make them want to go, To hurt themselves or run away, Hide from their pain, A torture that you put them through, Driving them insane Laughing as they squirm, Gloating from above, Because they are different, Or because of who they love, Because they believe in God, Come from India or are a Jew, You think you can keep at them, Twisting pain with your screw, But I'm here to let you know, To tell you without a doubt, That if you got to know them, You'd know your missing out, Everyone is interesting, And can add to your life, They can show amazing love, And help when you feel strife, And they will always be there, If your there for them to, Whatever struggle arises, They will pull you through, They will always have your back, Never leave you on your own, Hold your hand in the darkness, Listen for hours on the phone, But you will never know this, Until it is to late,...

2nd October 2012

Surviving the bullies – part 4 by Emma Andrews – when I was aged 9

 

I was badly bullied throughout my school life because I walked differently to the other children. 
 
The effects of bullying are life lasting which is why my series  of blogs will look at how I coped from aged 6- 15 and hope that my experiences offer an invaluable insight for parents and carers to observe and address the tell-tale signs of a victim of bullying.
 
Many things can lead to a child becoming a bully. 
 
Angry adults may vent out their frustrations on a child; angry teacher adults perhaps in my case?
 
Apparently I was “very naughty” because I hated washing the back of my leg – the scar from my operation to lengthen my tendon and help me walk better was very tender so I hated ( and still do ) harsh abrasive scrubbing on it which often happened, leading to floods of tears  ...
 
Perhaps the PE teacher...
24th August 2012

Bullies claimed the life of my 16 year old sister

 

On Sunday 19th August, Richard Shaw and a group of friends trekked 14 miles across the Yorkshire Dales in aid of Bullying UK, part of Family Lives. So far Richard has raised an incredible £1300, in memory of his sister Chantelle who tragically took her own life this year, aged just 16. 
 
Chantelle was a victim of bullying, and suffered from depression. By supporting us, Richard wants to help make sure others do not have to suffer the same pain as distress that Chantelle did. 
 
“I want to stop children from feeling like they are alone in that situation. I want to try and get across that there are people out there to help and there is support available and there’s nothing wrong with asking for it.” 
 
Read Richard's story here:...
17th August 2012

"Surviving the bullies – part 3 by Emma Andrews – when I was aged 8

I was badly bullied throughout my school life because I walked differently to the other children. 

The affects of bullying are life lasting which is why my series  of blogs will look at how I coped from aged 6- 15 and hope that my experiences offer an invaluable insight for parents and carers to observe and address the tell tale signs of a victim of bullying.
 
Many things can lead to a child becoming a bully. 
 
In the tough economic climate, sadly many people are losing their jobs and parents’ often have to share the bad news with their young children which they will often do around the dinner table. Although the news about Dad’s job may be sugar- coated to cause the children minimum stress, it will naturally include the subject of cost saving, such as “I’m afraid after this term Nicola, we can no longer afford your dance lessons, but hopefully you can start them again...