SENDING OUT A MESSAGE

Schools come together for anti-bullying event

A sign-language event that aims to discourage bullying took place at Liverpool Cathedral. The event, organised by Knotty Ash Primary School Deaf Resource Base, saw 10 Liverpool schools join them at the Cathedral to sign in British Sign Language (BSL) along to ‘No Matter What’ by Boy Zone. Nine were primary schools, and one was a secondary school. Adults from Liverpool Signing Choir also attended. The project was part of a collaboration with Bully BustersUK. Staff from Knotty Ash Primary contacted schools about the idea, shared the idea with Bully Busters, and sent out a video of them signing ‘No Matter What’ back in June 2021.

Roanne Clements-Bedson, headteacher at Knotty Ash Primary, said: “Over the last few months, more and more schools throughout Liverpool and beyond have been rehearsing a signed song to raise awareness of the damage that bullying does and to share a positive message of strength and solidarity. The Boyzone song, No Matter What, was translated into BSL by our staff here, and a beautiful rendition of it was recorded and shared with other schools so that they could rehearse.”