Pupil representatives from over twenty schools in Brent took part in an event to mark the national launch of anti-bullying week.

Students from twenty-six of Brent’s primary and secondary schools attended the event at Brent Civic Centre in Wembley which included talks and workshops where students discussed ways to spot the signs of bullying and what action they should take if they spot bullying or become a victim themselves.

Feeding back what had been learned in a presentation to other school pupils, ten-year-old Dayo Adeyemi, from Christchurch CofE Primary School in Willesden Lane, Kilburn said: “We learned how to not bully people and how to prevent bullying. Bullying affects people, it can really mentally scar some people, and later on in life they become nervous, which could really affect them.

“I’ve learned that if you see bullying anywhere you should tell a responsible adult who can deal with it.”

Luke Mbete-Tabu, 11, attends St Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Primary School, Linacre Road, Willesden he said: “I’ve learned that it’s important to stick up for people who are getting bullied.

“People that are being bullied don’t want to go to school. Sometimes the bully will tell the person they are bullying not to tell the teacher, so they become frightened and don’t know who to tell. It’s important that people don’t tolerate it.”

Schools that took part in the launch event will hold their own workshops and assemblies on the issue during anti-bullying week, which falls from November 17 to November 21, and throughout the school year.

Brent Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, Councillor Ruth Moher said: “Bullying can have a serious affect on people in later life. What may start as a bit of harmless teasing or playground banter can quickly develop into something much nastier, affecting a child’s self-esteem and their general mental health and well-being, which is an issue that they may take with them into adulthood.

“We are committed to providing every young person in Brent with the best start in life possible and so we are delighted to launch this initiative, which will help ensure our schools are happy places for children to be and allow for every child to concentrate fully on their learning.”