Students Unite for Anti-Bullying Schools Project Celebration

Hundreds of students, teachers and guests gathered at St George’s Hall, Liverpool, to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Anti-Bullying Schools Project – a movement inspiring respect, inclusion and positive change across the UK.

Led by Knotty Ash Primary School, home to the region’s only Deaf Resource Base, the project brings together over 100 schools using British Sign Language (BSL) to promote empathy, communication and unity among hearing and Deaf students.

Lydiate Learning Trust students from Knotty Ash Primary School, The Grange Primary School, Childwall Sports and Science Academy and Deyes High School all supported the event.

This year’s theme, “Power for Good,” reflected the project’s mission to build communities rooted in kindness and mutual respect, as part of national Anti-Bullying Week.

The event opened with Abide with Me by programme Ambassador Steve McFarlane, accompanied by the Signing Choir, to mark Remembrance Sunday. Students performed inspirational songs including This Is Me, Mountain, Show Me a Sign and Step Into Your Power, alongside hearing students’ lived experiences read by guest speakers.

The celebration concluded with a final rendition of This Is Me, uniting all performers and guests in a shared celebration of courage, difference and community.

Reflecting on the milestone, Roanne Clements, LLT Executive Headteacher, Primary, said: “Five years ago, we set out to give children a voice against bullying – a fully-inclusive ‘voice in their hands’. Today, that voice is prouder, stronger and shared by hundreds of schools who believe in the power of communication and respect.”

Tony Grant, English football coach and former Everton player, added: “It’s fantastic to see young people using BSL to celebrate difference and stand against bullying. The energy in the room today is inspiring.”

A Year 6 pupil from Knotty Ash Primary School said: “Learning BSL has helped me understand my Deaf friends better and show kindness in a way that everyone can share. It feels amazing to use our voices and signs for good.”

A Year 4 pupil at The Grange added: “I loved performing with everyone! It showed me that we can all help stop bullying and that working and signing together makes us stronger.”