The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) and its members have a shared definition of bullying based on research from across the world over the last 30 years.

ABA defines bullying as:

"The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. It can happen face to face or online."

In school we feel it is important to teach the children what bullying is as well as what it isn’t. Bullying is not a one-off incident or an occasional whoops moment, but a purposeful reoccurring event.

Starting a conversation about what bullying is, how to recognise it and what to do if you see or experience it can help prevent bullying more effectively than sanctions imposed.