Throughout the school year TTCT schools share targeted safeguarding campaigns designed to raise awareness of key issues and help students understand how they can keep themselves and others safe. This term’s campaign has been intentionally aligned with Anti-Bullying Week, as it provides an opportunity for our schools to reinforce the theme ‘Worried about bullying? – Be an Upstander.’
To mark Anti-Bulling Week, our schools have been busy delivering an interesting programme of assemblies, activities and discussions. Below is a selection of some of the highlights that have taken place across The Two Counties Trust this week:
Assemblies
Student assemblies this week revolved around reinforcing the message of the TTCT Safeguarding Campaign and how students themselves can be an ‘Upstander’ against bullying. Students were also introduced to the theme of this year’s Anti-Bullying week; ‘Power for Good’. These assemblies laid the foundations for activities and meaningful Tutor group discussions throughout the week.
Lesson starters and Activities
With the knowledge received from assemblies, students were able to engage in discussions on how they could use their power positively and how positive actions connect to be an Upstander. These activities have expanded our student’s knowledge on the topic and provided staff with an opportunity to ensure students are fully aware of how bullying is reported in their school.
TTCT schools also held ‘Odd Sock Days’, in which students and staff were encouraged to come into school wearing odd socks to showcase that everyone is unique and our uniqueness is something to be celebrated.
School Discussions
The discussions that have taken place across TTCT this week have been invaluable in helping staff deepen their understanding of our students’ experiences and needs. Friesland School has taken the feedback from classroom discussions on bullying to structure their next round of pastoral meetings.
Ashfield School and Swanwick Hall School have met with their Anti-Bullying groups (a collection of students who meet with staff to help inform on Anti-Bullying strategies) to discuss how they can open classrooms and other safe spaces over lunchtimes. These drop-in areas will function as a discreet and safe way for students concerned about bullying to talk with someone privately and securely.
The topics that students have learned this week are incredibly important to our student’s ability to feel positive about coming to school, a factor that can directly impact their learning. Thank you to all our staff who have put together fantastic content, facilitated discussions and delivered assemblies and well done to our students for engaging so thoughtfully with the content provided.
