Anti Bullying
‘SAFER TOGETHER, SAFER WHEREVER’
By the Bracknell Forest Anti-Bullying Group.
Bullying is something that affects many young people and Bracknell Forest Borough Council has been working hard to tackle bullying in our schools and communities.
In November 2008 we appointed an Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator and launched the ‘Safer Together, Safer Wherever’ Anti-Bullying Strategy Action Plan with the aim of raising awareness of the damaging effects of bullying behaviour and helping young people feel safer and more supported in Bracknell Forest.
We have undertaken many successful initiatives in Bracknell Forest schools; including:
- The ‘Unicef ‘Rights & Respect’ initiative
- The Safe to Learn Peer Mentoring scheme
- An Anti-Bullying Policy & Practice consultation with Bracknell Forest Head teachers.
- A PSHE program on Anti-bullying/domestic abuse.
- A ‘Girls & Bullying’ playwriting competition and showcase event.
- The ‘Tackling Bullying: A Guide for Parents & Carers’ booklet and Anti-Bullying workshops for parents.
- Teacher training.
- Anti-Bullying, E-safety cyber bullying and self-esteem workshops.
- Anti-Bullying Drama presentations
- Anti-Bullying online surveys for young people.
- Annual Anti-Bullying Competitions and Awards.
Our work has received some helpful feedback from young people; including:
‘Bullying is a lot more serious than most people think.’
Year 8, Garth Hill College
‘I think the [bullying workshop] will help me in secondary school, because I learnt how to stand up to bullies and not be pushed around. Thank you for helping me.’
Year 6, Cranbourne Primary School
‘I knew bullying was bad, but I never knew how low it made you feel.’
Year 8, Edgbarrow School.
‘Thank you for doing the workshop with us. It really did help so thank you very much. Best thing I ever did!’
Year 6, Crownwood Primary School
In addition we have established an annual shield award for the Bracknell Forest Primary & Secondary school that makes the ‘Outstanding Contribution’ to Anti-Bullying work each year.
In 2009 Meadow Vale Primary School and Easthampstead Park Community School were the first winners of the award.
The first phase of our Anti-Bullying Strategy has come to an end and we are currently preparing a new Action Plan to take this important work forward.
We recognise the vital role that young people in Bracknell Forest can play in making Bracknell Forest schools and communities safer and we welcome your views and opinions.
If you have an idea, an opinion or brilliant idea for an Anti-Bullying initiative in Bracknell Forest, please email us at Anti-Bullying@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Sally Garforth
Chair of Bracknell Forest Anti-Bullying Group
Robert Higgs
Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator.
