This summer Diversity Role Models published a new independent report authored by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) that provides school leaders with unique insights into the nature of prejudice-based bullying in schools.
The ‘Embracing Difference, Ending Bullying’ Research & Impact Report follows the culmination of a three-year Department for Education funded project and is based on data from students, staff, governors and parents & carers.
Key Findings:
Listening to young people and families:
90% of senior leadership team respondents and 93% of governors believed bullying was rare, while approximately half of the parents and carers agreed. Only 58% of primary students felt safe in their schools, compared to 83% of governors who believed all students were safe.
Prevalence of Bullying
Only 59% of primary students said their classmates understand that their words can hurt others. Bullying was identified as more common in secondary schools with looks (34%), sexuality (32%), gender/gender expression (31%) noted as the most prevalent forms. Students from marginalised identities consistently reported higher levels of bullying. For example, disabled students were 84% more likely to agree that bullying takes place related to disabilities.
Educating about difference
Students consistently identified disability and LGBTQ+ as the areas of diversity which were least covered by the school curriculum. Staff also identified LGBTQ+ as the least taught area over the three years. The report showed a positive long-term impact of training and workshops, and analysis demonstrated that where schools focus on delivering a diverse curriculum, students are less likely to say that they saw bullying related to protected characteristics.
The power of personal stories
A key feature of the staff training and student workshops delivered by Diversity Role Models was sharing personal stories from volunteer Role Models whose identities were linked to one or more protected characteristics. These received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with staff and students highlighting their impact in building empathy, raising awareness, and challenging misconceptions.
“It helped to see another’s perspective and to be able to ask questions of someone who has experienced discrimination and difficulty firsthand…” (Staff evaluation form respondent)
Best Practice
This report enabled us to create a teacher-friendly Best Practice Guide that maps out innovative and practical methods that school leaders can take to ensure that a celebration of diversity forms the heart of an effective, research-backed, preventative approach to bullying in schools.
Want to find out more? Join our Embracing Difference, Ending Bullying CPD course
By joining Diversity Role Models’ forthcoming interactive training with NAHT, you’ll leave with the skills and confidence to tackle and prevent prejudice-based bullying. The course will explore the four pillars to a successful preventative approach; policies & processes, curriculum & education, values & visibility and training and development.
You’ll receive a range of resources that utilise the power of personal stories, ensuring you leave the session with the tools to implement effective education that will empower your staff to embrace differences and work towards ending bullying.