A PUDSEY school has hosted a major anti-bullying event attended by over 100 pupils from schools across the north.

The day long series of workshops and seminars at Fulneck School was organised by the Diana Award – a national charity set up in the memory of Princess Diana.

The aim was for pupils to have enough to go back to their schools with ideas to strengthen their anti bullying policies.

Students aged between seven and 11 attended the sessions from Bradford schools including Bradford Forster Academy in East Bowling, Tong Leadership Academy and Woodhouse Grove school in Apperley Bridge.

Other schools taking part were Castle Hall Academy in Mirfield, Ian Ramsey Academy in Stockton On Tees, Lightcliffe Academy, Netherhall Learning College in Kirklees and Springwell Community College in Chesterfield.

The youngsters involved were taught to how to spot and prevent tell-tale signs of bullying. They were also trained up as anti-bullying ambassadors.

Throughout the day they explored the issue of bullying through the day, and exchanged ideas about how bullying can be prevented.

The main objectives of the programme were for the young ambassadors to leave with an action plan aimed at creating a successful anti-bullying policy for their own schools, and to be able to support their peers who experience bullying in school.

The morning kicked off with ice-breakers and introductions, followed by an afternoon of action-planning and scenarios. Pupils were also showed a series of hard-hitting videos that were played, highlighting the impact bullying can have on an individual.

The young ambassadors were also encouraged to say motivational messages and talk about what they’ve learnt about bullying in a ‘Big Brother’ style diary room.

Houry Stewart, a teacher at Fulneck School, helped organise the event. He said: “We’ve been hosting the anti-bullying day for several years now, and it’s always a great success.

“The children have learned about bullying in what we believe is a creative and effective way. Today has taught them that they have the ability to change their school for the better.

“Overall, we want to leave our pupils feeling happy and safe within their schools and their communities. We hope today will contribute to that and we plan to continue supporting anti-bullying campaigns across the region.”

The ambassadors programme has also seen pupils from Fulneck talk to fellow pupils about the dangers of online bullying, an issue that is becoming increasingly common as more young people have access to the internet and social media.

The Diana Award was founded in 1999 by the UK Government to act as a lasting legacy to Princess Diana’s belief in the power of young people to change the world.

So far it has given almost 40,000 young people from across the UK special recognition through its award schemes.

The Anti-Bullying Ambassadors Programme currently runs in more than 600 primary and secondary schools, and trains young people across the United Kingdom to be ambassadors in their local communities, as well as the schools they attend.