Posted on:
22 April 2024
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Senior School pupils are celebrating this week, after achieving bronze status in the United Against Bullying programme. Run by the Anti Bullying Alliance between November 2021 and March 2024, the programme was open to all schools in England, with the aim of supporting them in reducing bullying and improving the wellbeing of children. It focused particularly on those most at risk, including children with SEND, children who experience racist and faith-targeted bullying, sexual bullying, and homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.
The overall aim of the programme was to establish United Against Bullying Schools. These are schools that have evidenced their work to reduce bullying and improve the wellbeing of all pupils.
Led by Senior School Deputy Head Pastoral, Jane Pawulska, Assistant Pastoral Lead, Jo Hewson and supported by Upper Sixth Wellbeing Prefects, James P and Thea C, the College developed a programme of activity that included anti bullying initiatives already taking place in school, initiatives that would be undertaken and completed throughout the programme, and a commitment for future initiatives to be delivered once the programme had been completed.
A series of new anti bullying initiatives were identified through responses to a bespoke questionnaire, developed by James and Thea, and shared with all Senior School pupils. The pupil responses enabled the team to pinpoint focus areas, which culminated in the recruitment of two Anti Bullying Ambassadors in each Senior School House. The ambassadors have all undertaken training, which has equipped them with the tools they need to support their peers to tackle any bullying behaviour and create a safer, kinder school community.
Commenting on the award, Senior School Deputy Head Pastoral, Jane Pawulska said, “As a school, we have had a robust programme of anti-bullying initiatives in place for a number of years, however our participation in the United Against Bullying programme has enabled us to strengthen this, and to develop a pupil-led plan that truly reflects our community.”
“It has been encouraging to see how Senior School pupils have embraced the programme and we already have a waiting list of pupils keen to take on Anti Bullying Ambassador roles in the future. Being awarded bronze status by the Anti Bullying Alliance is testament to everyone’s hard work and their commitment to reducing bullying, and improving the wellbeing of all children.”
296 schools across England completed the United Against Bullying programme, with 11% achieving gold status, 24% silver status, and 55% bronze status.
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