Anti-Bullying Week 2026: Break the Silence

Mark your school calendars! Anti-Bullying Week 2026 takes place from Monday 16th to Friday 20th November, uniting schools across the nation under this year’s vital theme: Break the Silence.

Organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) and coordinated by the National Children’s Bureau, Anti-Bullying Week is one of the largest children’s wellbeing campaigns in the UK, reaching over 80% of schools and an estimated 8 million children and young people each year.

Why "Break the Silence"?

Millions of children experience or witness bullying every year, yet far too many never tell a soul. Whether facing face-to-face bullying, online harassment, or modern digital pressure, many young people stay silent when they are targeted, when they witness others being hurt, or when they feel drawn into negative behaviour themselves. Left unchecked, silence allows bullying to grow.

This year’s theme was directly shaped by the voices of over 200 children and young people, alongside experts from across the anti-bullying sector. Students highlighted the deep silence that so often surrounds bullying and shared the real barriers they face when trying to ask for help.

The campaign calls on everyone in the school community—pupils, teachers, and parents—to start open conversations, speak up, actively listen, and take meaningful action together

Free Classroom & School Resources

To help primary and secondary schools bring the campaign to life, the Anti-Bullying Alliance provides a suite of free, curriculum-linked materials, including:

• Primary and secondary lesson plans & assembly powerpoints;

• Educational films and activity packs; and

• Staff discussion tools and guidance for engaging parents and carers.

Get Your Students Involved Online

For secondary schools and older pupils, join the national movement on social media using the hashtags #AntiBullyingWeek, #OddSocksDay, and #BreakTheSilence across Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.

How Your School Can Take Action Today

Sign up for updates: Subscribe to the Anti-Bullying Alliance newsletter to access free school resource packs as soon as they drop.

Plan your Odd Socks Day: Save the date (Monday 16th November) for a fun, low-cost dress-up day that carries a powerful message.

Start the conversation: Use assemblies, tutor time, and pastoral check-ins during November to help pupils recognize the signs of bullying and empower them to report it.

Together, we can create kinder, safer school environments where every young person feels seen, supported, and heard.

Odd Socks Day | Monday 16th November

Kick off the week with a school-wide celebration of individuality! Staff and pupils are encouraged to wear odd socks to school to celebrate what makes us all unique and express our commitment to kindness.

ABA patron Andy Day and his band, Andy and the Odd Socks, are returning with a brand-new track to get primary pupils dancing while delivering a serious message: respect each other's differences and stand together against bullying.

HANDSAM RESOURCES

All these resources are available to HANDSAM clients via our system

• CP06 Anti-bullying Advice

• CP10 Protecting Children from Internet Abuse

• PR16 Guidance on Creating Bully-proof Premises