A powerful and inspiring assembly aimed to raise awareness about the impact of bullying

November 10th 2025

Sophie, Sam, Abi, Polly, Molly and Izzy led an excellent Assembly on Anti-Bullying Week Below you can read what they said and their message to the School. This powerful and inspiring assembly aimed to raise awareness about the impact of bullying, promote kindness, and remind everyone that even small actions can make a big difference.

Emily Simper - Head of PSHEE and Deputy Head Pastoral

Odd Socks Day is a fun and meaningful way to start Anti-Bullying Week and celebrates what makes each of us unique. It’s a simple reminder that being different isn’t something to hide - it’s something to be proud of. Odd Socks Day encourages everyone to express themselves freely, respect individuality, and stand up against bullying by showing that it’s okay to be different.

Bullying happens when someone repeatedly hurts, threatens, or excludes another person on purpose. It’s not just a single argument or a joke that goes too far, it’s a pattern of behaviour that causes real harm, whether that’s physical or emotional. Bullying can happen anywhere. In classrooms, on the way home, and even online. And it can happen to anyone. There are four main types of bullying and understanding them helps us recognize when it’s happening.

The first is physical bullying - This includes hitting, pushing, kicking, or damaging someone’s belongings. It’s the kind of bullying you can see, but it’s only one part of the picture.

The second is verbal bullying - This happens through words - name-calling, teasing, insults, or threats. People often say, “they’re just words,” but words can stay with someone for a long time.

The third is social or emotional bullying - This one’s more subtle. It’s when someone is left out on purpose, ignored, or has rumours spread about them. It might not leave bruises, but it can seriously hurt someone’s confidence and self-esteem.

And finally, there’s cyberbullying - This takes place online, through messages, posts, or social media. It can spread quickly and follow people home, making it hard to escape.

The good news is that every one of us can make a difference. If you see bullying, don’t ignore it. Speak up if it’s safe to do so or tell a teacher or another adult you trust. Sometimes, just standing beside someone who’s being targeted is enough to show them they’re not alone. And before we say or post something, it helps to pause and think...

Is it kind? Is it necessary? Would I want someone to say this to me?

Small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

When we talk about bullying, we often think of it as something that just hurts someone’s feelings for a moment. But the truth is, the effects can be far more serious, and sometimes, even life changing. Bullying can destroy someone’s confidence and make them feel completely alone. Over time, that constant fear, humiliation, and rejection can cause feelings of anxiety and depression and lead to self-hatred. One UK study found that children who were bullied were twice as likely to self-harm by the age of 12 compared with those who weren’t bullied. And a long-term British study showed that people who had frequently been bullied as children had nearly 1.9 times the odds of dying by suicide in adulthood compared to those who were not bullied. Every year, lives are lost because of bullying. Behind each statistic is a real person, someone who felt there was no way out. That’s why we must realise that words and actions have power. What might seem like a joke or a comment “just for fun” could be the final thing that pushes someone over the edge.

Bullying doesn’t just happen face to face it can happen silently, through gaming, social media, and online messages. Cyberbullying can spread quickly and feel impossible to escape because our phones and devices are always with us. Whether it’s negative comments, excluding someone from a group chat or game, sharing rumours, or posting hurtful content, these actions can have a deep and lasting impact. The online world should be a place where we connect, have fun, and support each other, not a space people are afraid to use due to fear of negative comments. Before sending a message or posting something online, ask yourself: Would I say this to someone’s face? How would I feel if someone sent it to me? Often, cyberbullying can be the hardest to stop and can also be the most harmful. If you know of anyone or see someone being bullied online, stand up for them and support them. Just reporting the incident to a trusted adult can make a real difference in someone's life.

We are going to share some examples of famous people who have been bullied:

Victoria Beckham. She was bullied in school. Her peers would throw things at her and call her stupid for having undiagnosed dyslexia and dyscalculia. She explained how this bullying made her shy but ultimately gave her thick skin; she is now very successful.
Ed Sheeran was bullied at school too. He said he often felt like an outsider, but said that music helped him overcome that experience, and that rapping especially helped him with his stutter. He now strongly encourages individuality and celebrates differences.
Lady Gaga faced bullying not only in school but also in university. In school she was physically bullied and in university she faced verbal and online bullying. She is open about how her experience led to anxiety and depression. Her mother and her have created the Born This Way Foundation which helps young people with metal health.
Niall Horan suffered from severe cyberbullying and online abuse from the public and even fans. He now uses his platform to promote kindness and awareness of the impacts of cyberbullying and supports various campaigns.
Mike Tyson was bullied as a child for his appearance, and said he was often too scared to go to school. He said his experiences are a major reason for him becoming a boxer. A pivotal moment was when a bully killed his beloved pet, leading 10-year-old Mike Tyson to throw his first punch.

All of these examples show how even celebrities have experienced bullying in some form, but their stories give us hope that victims of bullying can overcome their difficulties and become successful people.