Pupils train as anti-bullying ambassadors

Bishop Chavasse School in Tonbridge has been aiming to tackle bullying with new anti-bullying ambassadors

Children at a Kent primary school have trained as anti-bullying ambassadors through a charity set up by Princess Diana.

Pupils at Bishop Chavasse Primary School in Tonbridge received training from the Diana Award to help them listen to peers and spread a positive message.

The programme, which began in March, follows a survey by the Anti-Bullying Alliance showing one in five school-aged children in England have experienced bullying.

Mary, one of the ambassadors, said: "We have the right to speak up if we see any bullying going on."

Owen, another ambassador, added: "It's not just about stopping bullying, but making sure it doesn't start in the first place."

The number of children who have experienced bullying is also higher among pupils with special educational needs, the survey added.

Almost a third of children in Kent had been bullied online, a survey from the county's Police and Crime Commissioner found.

Bishop Chavasse Primary School's anti-bullying ambassadors

Ten children from the school have received the training and have called for pupils to pledge to use the "power of good" to prevent bullying.

Earlier this month, the school hosted an assembly urging pupils to create an environment free from bullying.

They paraded around the school with their pledges to each other which were then formed into a paper chain.

Sally Ley, behaviour and inclusion mentor at the school, said: "We have a very diverse community and its about accepting that everyone is different and how we deal with that and support those who are struggling when they feel different, or feel persecuted for their difference."