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. 

• Anti-Bullying Alliance This charity is at the forefront of the research relating to bullying and provides excellent guidance for teachers and parents on starting the conversation about bullying. Look at the parent carer page of the website to see and access their resources to have good conversations at home that help support your child.

• Kidscape Referenced and promoted by ABA.

• NSPCC A well-known charity that supports children. The information is clearly laid o

Helping your children understand changes at puberty

(Information taken from the SCARF Resources)

Children following the SCARF programme will already have a good understanding of their bodies, and how and why they change as they go through puberty.

For this age group, it's often about building on that information and developing further knowledge about the emotional changes that take place. This should take place alongside learning the reasons for the changes in more detail, including developing an understanding of how people are able to reproduce – if they want to – when they’re adults.

Parents are recognised as children's primary educators for Relationships,  Sex and Health Education (RSHE), yet many feel unprepared. Often, this is because they had poor RSHE themselves – from home, school, or both.

The following information and resources are designed to support you in helping your child navigate the emotional and physical changes that take place during puberty, as well as learning about sex in the context of safe, loving relationships.

Suggested reading list for 8–11 year olds, covering reproduction/puberty/relationships/gender

• Girls Only by V Parker
• How your Body Works by Judy Hindley
• Let’s Talk About Sex by R H Harris
• Living with a Willy by N Fisher
• Sex is a Funny Word by C Silverberg and F Smyth 
• The Period Book by K Gravelle
• The Puberty Book by W Darvill
• What’s Happening to Me? by P Mayle
• Alien Nation by The Proud Trust

Useful books for parents

Questions Children Ask and How to Answer Them by Dr M Stoppard

Speakeasy: Talking with your Children about Growing Up by fpa (Family Planning Association)

Useful websites for children

Amaze.org- Puberty section (Age 9+) 

BBC Teach –The Big Talk (age 9-12) 

Kids' Health - Menstruation

Male puberty - including wet dreams 

Outspoken - RSE worksheets 
NHS Puberty

Useful websites for parents

Family Lives

NSPCC

Outspoken 

Sex positive families 

Sitting in car YouTube Channel: how to talk comfortably with your kids about sex and consent  

Talking to your child about online sexual harassment- a guide for parents

Other suggested RSHE Activities:

Draw around bodies

Draw around bodies and label parts, using correct words (and family names) and their purpose.

What's in the bag? Puberty

Put together your own ‘puberty bag’ from household items. Discuss each one and why it’s used, e.g. deodorant, razors, tampons/pads, shower gel, washing powder, tissues, hair gel.

What's in the bag? Growing up

Same as above for the contents of a handbag; items support discussions about growing up.

Anonymous questions box

Have an old shoebox, or similar, where children could post questions that they might not be able to ask you verbally.

Praise and thank them for their questions.  Try to answer them using the webpages above to help provide age-appropriate, fact-based answers. 

At Dunbury Academy, we actively promote children's well-being. The school uses 'Zones of Regulation', which is a research-backed framework used in many UK primary schools, designed to help children identify their emotions, manage their energy levels and develop independent self-regulation skills. 

Feelings and state of mind are colour-coded into 4 zones:

1. Blue Zone - Low energy and alertness (sad, upset, bored)

2. Green Zone - Focussed and ready to learn; the optimal state for social interactions and learning (calm)

3. Yellow Zone - Heightened state but still partially in control (excited, silly, anxious)

4. Red Zone -  Extremely heightened with intense emotions (angry, terrified, panic)