Schools win praise for tackling bullying

SEVENTEEN schools in Warrington have won praise for their work in tackling bullying and hate crime.
They were acknowledged at an awards ceremony at the Town Hall for
their involvement in an initiative called “Wise Up” organised by Warrington Speak Up on behalf of the Warrington Hate Crime Partnership, supported by the borough council and Cheshire Police.
Schools were asked to fill out a questionnaire on their understanding of the importance of creating a safe environment for their pupils.
All the schools which entered demonstrated the importance of creating a safe environment in the school, where children can be free of bullying – especially those with a disability, from another ethnic background or religion, or have a different sexual orientation.
Examples of good practice included having school policies on tackling bullying and hate, school assemblies, anti-bullying weeks, celebrations of diversity and building an understanding of equality into the curriculum.
Cllr Jean Carter, the borough council’s lead member for children and young people’s services, said: “We know the significant and damaging impact hate crime and bullying can have on children, families and communities, so it is really heartening to see so many schools taking part in this initiative and I am so pleased to hear that there are policies in place to tackle hate crime and bullying in our schools.”
Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards were awarded.
One Gold Award was made to St Gregory’s RC High School, who demonstrated outstanding practice.
Other wards were as follows:
Silver: Brook Acre Primary, Great Sankey High, Saint Bridget’s Primary, and Christ Church Primary.
Bronze: Beamont Primary, Birchwood High, Bridgwater High, Croft Primary, Future Tech Studio, Grappenhall Heys Primary, Locking Stumps Primary, Newchurch Primary, Ravenbank Primary, Saint Paul of the Cross RC Primary, St Stephen’s RC Primary and Thelwall Junior School
Pictured: Pupils from St Gregory’s High School with Mayor Cllr Ted Finnegan, the Mayoress, and Steve Peddie, the council’s operational director for adult services.