Pupils and staff at Harting Church of England Primary School are on the edge of their seats waiting to hear the result of a national competition, organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance in conjunction with CBBC presenter Andy Day and his band, Andy and the Odd Socks.
The prize is a visit from Andy’s band.
As part of the annual Anti-Bullying Week (ABW) campaign to raise awareness of the impact of bullying on a person’s mental health, a short film involving the entire school was made.
Called Harting and the Odd Socks it was released at the end of the week, and has had more than 16,000 views across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
And high-profile celebrities such as Hugh Bonneville, Tamsin Outhwaite, ITV newsreader Faye Barker, as well as Andy and the Odd Socks, have retweeted it.
Its key message is that the supportive small village school is inclusive, embracing differences through the key values of love and respect.
The Department for Education also got behind the short film, sharing it across its social media platforms with the caption: “Brillant video from @harting_primary for Anti-bullying Week.”
Harting headteacher Nick Tidey said: “What an accolade! Harting is very fortunate to have a team of incredibly nurturing and talented staff. The collective message is that this inclusive school embraces equality, diversity and actively celebrates differences.”
As well as making the film, on Odd Socks Day (November 14) pupils and staff wore odd socks, the wackier the better!
During the day everyone rocked to Andy and the Odd Socks’ latest hit, Calling Out, with its crucial message; reach out and help each other, embracing differences.
Pupils and staff danced their hearts out, strumming guitars, playing saxophones, trumpets and other instruments.
Laughter, colour and excitement filled the school hall throughout the action-packed day.
Children designed odds socks, learned how to sign some of the lyrics to Calling Out using sign language.
They bopped up and down, created chain reactions, bounced balloons, created trains and circles, waved, sang, danced, created mini Odd Socks bands, pedalled, climbed, carried and cuddled their siblings, and played trumpets and trombones, keyboards, drums and saxophones.
Mr Tidey added: “They had a wonderful day – one which staff and pupils will never forget.”
The film can be viewed at https://fb.watch/h0nMZsG82o/ and there is more on Facebook and Instagram (@hartingprimary) and Twitter (@harting_primary)