KS3 PSHE Lesson: What is bullying and how do we prevent it? A fully resourced anti-bullying lesson covering forms of bullying, impact, and the upstander/bystander model.

Overview

This engaging and ready-to-teach KS3 PSHE lesson explores bullying: what it is, the lasting impact it can have, and how pupils can respond when they witness it. Pupils build understanding through a mind-mapping starter, a guided information sheet, an interactive true/false quiz, real research evidence, and two discussion-based bystander/upstander scenarios — ending with a pupil-generated plenary quiz question.

Ideal for teaching topics on:

Anti-bullying and online safety
Relationships and respectful behaviour
Mental health and wellbeing

What’s included:

Clear learning objective and 3-part success criteria displayed throughout
Mind-map starter activity building prior knowledge of bullying types
Teacher-read information sheet covering physical, emotional, and online bullying, with guidance on seeking help
10-question true/false quiz with misconception-busting explanations (e.g. “a bully is always a group,” “only older students can be bullies”)
Video-based task with a gap-fill worksheet on the long-term effects of bullying, referencing real longitudinal research (the British National Child Development Study)
Full answers provided for the gap-fill task
Two scenario-based discussion tasks introducing the bystander/upstander model, with paired discussion structure and extension questions
Plenary task where pupils write their own quiz question to check understanding
Editable PowerPoint plus supporting Word documents (info sheet, gap-fill worksheet with answers)

Learning focus:

Recognise different forms of bullying, including online bullying
Understand the short and long-term impact of bullying, grounded in longitudinal research evidence
Understand the difference between a bystander and an upstander, and know how to respond if they witness bullying

Curriculum links (KS3 PSHE/RSE):

Supports statutory Relationships Education requirements on respectful relationships and bullying (including cyberbullying)
Builds understanding of mental health and the impact of relationships on wellbeing
Develops skills in recognising unsafe or unkind behaviour and knowing how to seek help

Perfect for Anti-Bullying Week, PSHE lessons, tutor time, or as part of a wider relationships and wellbeing scheme of work.