ELAN Pupils Unite to Lead Change at Trust-Wide Anti-Bullying Conference
By Schools Correspondent
Extend Learning Academies Network (ELAN) brought together pupils from all nine of its primary schools for a powerful trust‑wide Anti‑Bullying Conference designed to strengthen wellbeing, safety and empowerment across its communities.
Hosted at Bournville Primary School, the event welcomed 86 pupils who took part in a full day of workshops led by YouthShoots founder Paul Hanmore.
The bespoke programme equipped young people with the skills and confidence to identify bullying behaviours, support their peers and promote kindness within their schools.
Pupils explored what bullying looks and feels like, learned practical coping strategies, and developed their own peer‑led social action projects to take back and implement in their school communities.
Each participant left the event as an Anti‑Bullying Ambassador, ready to champion respect and inclusion.
Staff from across ELAN also took part in a twilight wellbeing session focused on resilience and grounding strategies, ensuring they too feel supported in their roles.
Feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive, with staff describing it as a “child‑led event that has equipped pupils with a toolbox of strategies to take back and implement in their schools.”
ELAN extended its thanks to Bournville’s Marie Berry and Kylie Statham for coordinating and delivering this inspiring trust‑wide initiative, and to all participating schools: Bournville, Mendip Green, Mead Vale, Milton Park, Banwell, Oldmixon, Walliscote, Locking and Windwhistle.
Together, ELAN and YouthShoots continue to make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people by empowering them to create safer, kinder school communities.
