C Curriculum Explorer
Personal & Social Development·Responsible Decision-Making·conceptual

Bystanders and Upstanders

Understand the bystander role — that when someone witnesses unkind or unfair behaviour, they have a choice: they can be a passive bystander (doing nothing), join in, or be an upstander (speaking up or getting help) — and develop the confidence to be an upstander

Suggested ages 7–9

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Learning journey

Your child is learning to make thoughtful choices and stand up for what's right — understanding bullying and digital citizenship, developing the courage to be an upstander, and using a thinking process before making decisions.

Evidence of understanding

  • Explain the difference between a bystander and an upstander
  • Describe at least two safe actions an upstander can take
  • Give an example of a time they or someone they know stood up for someone else

Assessment prompt

If Bystanders and Upstanders sees a group of children being mean to someone at school, do they have the courage to say something, walk away with the person being targeted, or tell a teacher — rather than just watching?

Standards alignment

PSPE.INT.P1.CU.5International · ib-pyp-pspe

PSPE.INT.P1.CU.5

IB PYP Personal, Social and Physical Education (PSPE) Scope and Sequence

PSPE.INT.P2.LO.11International · ib-pyp-pspe

PSPE.INT.P2.LO.11

IB PYP Personal, Social and Physical Education (PSPE) Scope and Sequence