Information on Loughborough

Anti-bullying videos are top of the pops

Posted on 02/02/2010

Leicestershire Councty Council

1 February 2010

Anti-bullying videos are top of the pops *** photo opportunity ***

Inspiring music videos created by students to help spread anti-bullying messages are being celebrated at a special event.

Last November, the City and County Councils invited pupils to come up with a video to a song called 'Caught in the Crowd' by Australian singer Kate Miller-Heidke.

On Wednesday, councillors Vi Dempster and Ivan Ould will congratulate the winning schools, watch the videos and give out prizes - they are St Martins Catholic School in Stoke Golding, Cosby Primary School, Ellesmere College and Belgrave St Peters Church of England.

Kate wrote the song based on her own experiences of bullying when she was at school. She says her single is “written from the perspective of the passive observer who then feels guilty”.

Students at Redmoor High School in Hinckley had already made a DVD and were the inspiration for this competition.

Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County Council Cabinet Member for the Children and Young People's Service, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Leicester City Council, other partners and children and young people to deliver anti-bullying messages.

"Competitions like this one give children and young people a chance to be creative and have fun at the same time as learning some important anti-bullying messages."

Leicester City Council’s cabinet member for children and schools, Vi Dempster, said: “Bullying can have a terrible impact on people’s lives, which is why tackling the problem is so important.

“It is great to see so many pupils getting involved in a scheme like this, which combines a serious message with a great opportunity to try their hands at making music videos.”

Each school will win a £100 voucher for equipment, donated by Lloyd Sutherington of Rahmqvist UK.

Fourteen entries were sent into the competition which coincided with anti-bullying week and received support from Nigel Roberts and Richard Smith of 'Talking Donkey Films’ and funding from the anti-bullying alliance.

Photo Opportunity:

Reporters and photographers are invited to the event at 2.30pm on Wednesday, 3rd February at Voluntary Action Leicestershire on Newarke Street, Leicester.

For comments from the schools involved or copies of their videos, please call:

St Martins Catholic School, Stoke Golding: 01455 212386

Cosby Primary School: 0116 286 3103

Ellesmere College, Leicester: 0116 289 4242

Belgrave St Peters Church of England Primary School, Leicester : 0116 266 5790