or call 020 7404 3400
or call 020 7404 3400
Or call 020 7404 3400
The theme for this year’s week is ‘Break The Silence’. It’s an important topic, given that many children and young people experience bullying but don’t tell anyone about it.
There are a few reasons for this – and the biggest is often fear. But when children share and speak up, for themselves or their peers, they can make a big difference.
At Promote Your School, we know that visual prompts are a powerful resource to encourage freedom of expression, enable emotional safety and promote kindness. Here we’ll talk a bit about why we think Anti-Bullying Week 2026 is such an important initiative for young people. And we’ll share some examples of Wall Art projects schools have requested that help create positive and inclusive environments.
Many children and young people stay silent when they are being bullied, when they see it happening, and sometimes when they feel drawn into it themselves.
When silence persists, bullying can grow. In today’s world, bullying can happen in new and more complex ways. It happens face to face, online, and through new technologies. And in a world that can feel more divided and less kind, young people feel the impact. But we can change that. When people come together, speak openly, and choose kindness, bullying loses its power.
Every conversation, every act of support, and every voice raised against bullying makes a difference
Over the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in demand for Wall Art that features British Values. Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect and Tolerance are all cornerstones of our society. They are a reminder that we live in a country that values freedom, equality and inclusion, where everyone should feel welcome and accepted.
For schools, showcasing British Values visually on their walls reminds pupils of these principles. Alongside robust anti-bullying policies and safeguarding procedures, visual displays play an important part in creating kind, safe and inclusive school communities. Plus, clear boundaries help ensure children understand what is expected of them – and what behaviours will not be tolerated in school.
Some schools display British Values alongside their own school values to show how the two work together. In this way, pupils understand that the way they think and act towards others has an impact – in school and beyond, in the wider community.
Values displays can help guide children towards becoming responsible and tolerant citizens of the world.
Promoting British Values is so crucial— it’s part of creating a stable, supportive environment where young people can thrive as members of their wider community and ultimately as citizens.
Sometimes, children need simple reminders to be kind. It sounds obvious, but visual displays that remind pupils to be kind, to consider others and to look after the world around them can go a long way.
This includes environmental awareness messages too. A lot of schools ask us to create Wall Art for corridors, hall and even canteens that use nature as a backdrop. We’ll then overlay quotes from famous environmentalists like David Attenborough to explain why nature is so important. And to remind children that they have a responsibility to look after the world around them.
This can start small, with Wall Art that reminds pupils to dispose of waste responsibly, to treat others with kindness and to respect the school building.
When pupils feel this sense of ownership over their school environment, they’ll develop a sense of pride and belonging too. This can be empowering and can help promote a tolerant environment for all pupils – and ideally prevent or reduce bullying as a result.
Happy pupils who feel calm and regulated are ready to learn, and less likely to be disruptive towards other pupils.
So it’s little wonder many schools are requesting Calm walls, Sensory trails and nature themes for their walls.
A study, using real-time data collection, showed that increased exposure to diverse natural environments is directly associated with incremental improvements in mental wellbeing. In other words, small, repeated moments of connection with nature can meaningfully support how we feel and function. Schools often use nature as a backdrop to their Wall Art designs to simulate the feeling of being outdoors.
Nature themed Wall Art can reduce background stress levels, create a calmer atmosphere, and contribute to improved behaviour and concentration. Just as importantly, it introduces an ongoing relationship with nature for students who may otherwise have limited access to it.
When pupils arrive at school, they may feel many different things. Some will be excited and ready for the day ahead. Whilst others may feel anxious, angry or upset – even before the day has started.
A welcome wall, placed strategically at your school entrance, can immediately set the tone for a positive day ahead.
The example below, which we designed for Brechin High School, shows how to explicitly state to pupils that everyone is welcome. It reminds pupils that the school genuinely wants them to succeed and that they are safe and included, regardless of who they are.
Welcome walls are often used to create a positive first impression for external visitors. But they can be just as powerful for existing pupils; a reminder that they are welcome and so are their peers.
This can help create a sense of identity, which is so important for young people. When children feel safe and feel that they belong, they’re less likely to act negatively towards others. A kind community inspires every pupil within it.
We know young people do their best when they feel they belong, when expectations are clear, and when they feel part of a community that believes in them.
Wall Art can provide a gentle way for children to express feelings they might otherwise find difficult to put into words.
One school told us about a pupil who, while looking at their under-the-sea Wall Art, pointed to a solitary fish and said, “That fish is like me.” When the teacher gently asked why, the child explained that the fish was alone and had no friends. This opened up an opportunity for the teacher to talk about friendship, belonging and how they could help the child make connections with others. Sometimes, an image can give a child the confidence to start a conversation they might not otherwise have known how to begin.
For this reason, Wall Art is a wonderful tool to help break the silence.
Wall Art is also a natural conversation starter generally. It sparks curiosity, encouraging critical thinking and debate between classmates and teachers.We create all sorts of intriguing and beguiling designs. And there are a few topics in particular that always spark conversation…
Talking is a great barrier to bullying because it helps build rapport between pupils, promotes self-expression and creates a sense of community.
What’s great about using visual prompts on your school walls is that they’re accessible to everyone.
From the youngest learners, who perhaps cannot yet read, to children with additional needs and visual learners, Wall Art appeals to all children.
For this reason, it’s an inclusive and accessible learning aid that allows schools to communicate messages in a way that everyone can understand.
And, when those messages inspire positivity, tolerance and inclusivity, all pupils can feel a sense of belonging and act with kindness towards their peers.
Across schools, communities, and organisations, people will come together to take meaningful action against bullying. Through this, we can create kinder, more supportive environment where all children and young people belong.
The Anti-Bullying Alliance has loads of useful resources on their website. And don’t forget, Monday 16th November is Odd Socks day. Get all the information you need here.
We’ll visit your school to understand your goals, explain our process and provide you with a no-obligation quote.
