Bullying is again under the spotlight in the run-up to anti-bullying week next week and the campaign's blue wristbands will be spotted on the wrists of pupils across the country.

Education reporter Haydn Lewis paid a visit to a York primary school to learn how youngsters are happy to act as the first line of defence in the war against the bullies.

FOR many youngsters the difference between another pupil annoying them and when they are being bullied by someone is a lesson worth learning early on.

Pupils at St Lawrence's Primary School, in Heslington Road, York, are well versed in the difference between what they call "bugging" - when someone is annoying them - and the more serious forms of abuse that can blight school life.

Much work goes on at the school all year round about bad behaviour, but during National Anti-bullying Week the school is holding a range of special activities.

This includes a "debugging" system, which is a five step programme devised to help the children handle difficult situations.

Based on a common sense approach, it tells them first to ignore it, secondly move away, thirdly ask them to stop in a friendly way and if this doesn't work, then do it firmly, before finally getting adult help.

We spoke to a handful of youngsters from across the year groups to find out their views.

Ben Leonard, 10, said: "Before we learnt about this, I would have been tempted to hit back, but now I'd go and get help from my friends, or my brother, or my parents."

"It's been working in our class," said eight-year-old Adrienne Blackburn.

Sadie Simpson, six, said: "If I saw somebody being bullied, I'd go and help them, keep the other person away from them and ask if they could go and play with another group to keep them away from each other."

During the activities next week the youngsters will be writing poems and stories, and taking part in team building challenges and problem

solving.

Carrying on the blue theme, children will be given blue window stickers, Blue Riband chocolate bars, blue smarties and blue certificates. Blue wristbands sporting the logo "Together we can beat bullying" will also be given to every child.

Events will culminate in Blue Friday, where children will have a non-uniform day, wear blue and form a blue human chain around the school.

They will then be invited to sign a blue charter, which will also be signed by head teacher David Thewlis.

There are around 220 children involved and all the staff, and tomorrow, parents have been invited in to school to discuss the week.

Emma Rowsby, 11, said: "I think it's a great idea and so does my mum - it's so everyone can understand what's going on."

"We have got a debugging poster that has been put up around the school telling

people about the five steps to stop bullies," said nine-year-old Heather Walton.

There are about 220 children involved and all the staff.

Teacher Helen Smith said: "I know this is close to people's hearts and there are many people who now acknowledge that they were bullied in their childhood. Our parents strongly back all work related to anti-bullying and are keen to have it stamped out."

Anti-bullying work done at the school has been spearheaded by their every child matters co-ordinator, Sally Sutton, who says there was never a real problem with bullying at the school, but the programme has changed everyone's attitudes.

"I think in general among parents and the wider public, everything that goes on in schools as regards bad behaviour is bullying," she said.

"But this scheme points out to children and parents alike that there is a real difference between "bugging" and the persistent bullying that can and does change children's lives."

The last words on the subject should be left to six-year-old Isaac Holse. He said: "Bullying is not nice to do because bullying can really, really hurt."

Updated: 11:06 Wednesday, November 16, 2005