SCHOOLS across Poole are getting involved in an anti-bullying campaign by staging a host of awareness activities, workshops and assemblies.

Anti-Bullying Week takes place from November 16-20 and this year's theme is Make a Noise About Bullying! It calls on the school community to take action to stop the bullying of all children and young people, including disabled youngsters and those with special educational needs, who are significantly more likely to be bullied.

Pupils at Baden Powell and St Peters are getting creative with an anti-bullying video and will be giving the school a "hug" by surrounding it by children and staff holding hands.

New pupils will be elected to the Anti-Bullying Committee at Longfleet Primary, while pupils at St Mary's Catholic Primary and Heatherlands school will have visits from theatre groups. Turlin Moor Community School's Friendship Week will look at how to stay safe online, design posters and hold a special assembly for parents.

Old Town Infant School pupils will dress in blue at a whole assembly in return for a small donation to the Anti-Bullying League and staff at Hamworthy Park Junior School will be awarding daily Kindness and Caring wristbands to children who show respect and consideration to others.

Students at Victoria Education Centre, Magna Academy and St Edward’s will compete to design t-shirts and posters, while a whole school anti-bullying display will be produced at St Aldhelm's Academy. Anti-bullying Ambassadors at Parkstone Grammar, Poole High, St Edward’s and Magna Academy will hold assemblies and lunchtime drop-in sessions while Carter Community School and Poole High will have themed assemblies.

Poole Youth Parliament members have identified bullying as a key issue and Dorset Police's Safer Schools and Communities Team is delivering anti-bullying education and training for schools.

“Anti-Bullying Week helps to highlight the impact of bullying on children and young people in schools, communities and online," said Cllr Mike White, cabinet portfolio holder for children and young people.

"We take bullying extremely seriously, and hope that the work being done in our schools and with our partner organisations will bring children and young people, teachers, parents and carers together with the aim to help stop bullying.”