UNIVERSITY students have been working with primary school pupils to help them create films tackling the sensitive issue of bullying.

The U Project saw both media and social work students at the University of Bradford collaborate with children at inner-city All Saints Primary School to document the children’s own views on bullying and its effects.

As well as discussing issues around bullying with the children, students taught them skills including storyboarding, filming and editing.

They came up with a 15-minute film called Dear Bully.

Students came up with the idea for the project last year after the death of Asad Khan, an 11-year-old Bradford boy who was found hanged, allegedly after being bullied.

Sabheen Raja, 22, a social work student from Cleckheaton who started the project, said: “We wanted this to be about child empowerment, about children themselves saying no to bullying.

“It is one thing to teach children about bullying, but to listen to children talking about their experiences and thoughts of bullying in their own words is a totally different thing.

“We taught them how to use cameras and filming equipment and then they used this knowledge to make their films.”

The film was premiered at the University on Wednesday at an event attended by pupils, their families and members of the wider community, including Asad Khan’s father. After the screening, Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Geoff Reid presented the 19 Year 5 and 6 pupils with medals for taking part.

Miss Raja said: “We’re looking to sustain this project next year,. We’re hoping to work with another four schools looking at different issues.”

Nita Pallister, who works at All Saints and is also a University psychology student, said: “We’ve had really good feedback from parents and other organisations. The head, John Davey, was really pleased with the outcome of the project and all the children gained from it.”

A pre-inquest review hearing into Asad Khan’s death is due to take place on Monday.