Anti-Bullying Week is always a highlight in the school calendar at The Two Counties Trust, offering a valuable opportunity for us all to focus on promoting kindness, respect and inclusivity. This year students enthusiastically embraced the theme, ‘Choose Respect’, engaging in a variety of activities that reinforced the importance of standing up for one another, celebrating individuality and ensuring that everyone feels safe and valued.
At Manor students took part in thoughtful discussions during their Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) lessons. They explored the meaning of respect and how their actions contribute to building a safer, more inclusive community. At Selston and Heritage the symbolic gesture of wearing odd socks was embraced by the whole school – celebrating diversity and emphasising the importance of inclusivity.
Wilsthorpe and Frederick Gent focused on building greater understanding through assemblies, where students reflected on the importance of respect and how to foster a community where everyone can thrive. These discussions also highlighted the value of being ‘Upstanders’, perfectly echoing the Trust’s current safeguarding campaign. At Friesland assemblies were complemented by interactive sessions encouraging students to speak up and reach out to a trusted adult whenever needed.
At Ashfield the introduction of the ‘Safe Space’ lunchtime club means students have a dedicated area to talk to peers, share experiences or simply reflect. This initiative was led by the school’s Anti-Bullying Ambassadors and it supports their ongoing effort to create a safe and supportive school culture year-round.
At Swanwick Hall, alongside participating in Odd Socks Day, the school took an additional step by bringing together the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors and senior leaders, to discuss and plan the next steps in their ongoing anti-bullying commitment. These collective discussions and thought-provoking activities across the Trust have ensured the message of respect and kindness was not just highlighted for the week, but was embedded into each its long-term efforts.
At The Two Counties Trust we are proud of our shared safeguarding campaign, which ensures that the ‘Choose Respect’ theme remains at the forefront throughout the academic year. As a community of 11,000 students and 1,500 staff, we know that our daily actions help to create a supportive culture and leave a lasting legacy.
