Bracknell

Pupils from across Bracknell Forest are saying no to bullying next Friday (23) with an award ceremony to reward inventive anti-bullying work.

Anti-bullying week is a nationwide annual scheme and events are held in the autumn term throughout the borough’s schools.

This year’s national focus is bullying in the community with the strap line ‘safer together, safer wherever’.

A competition has been held for Bracknell children aged five to 19 who have been invited to enter a piece of artwork, creative writing or a presentation around the theme of bullying in the community.

The award will be judged by members of the anti-bullying group and the Mayor will be presenting the prizes and certificates to the winners.

The anti-bullying group has organised the competition and is also responsible for the borough wide Anti-Bullying Strategy.

A new Bracknell project has recently been piloted at some schools in the borough - the safe to learn project. It is a peer mentoring scheme designed to train older students to support those in years seven and eight to settle into school and help them with any issues at school and in particular any problems with bullying and friendship.

Co-ordinators training for this project has been given by the National Mentoring and Befriending Association and two schools are now busy training students to be mentors.

Tony Eccleston, Director of Education, Children’s Services and Libraries said: Lots of exciting work is going on in our schools to prevent and deal with bullying and we are developing a strategy and action plan to improve anti-bullying work.

We have a recently appointed Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator who is carrying out a consultation with all schools to share good practice around bullying.”

Gareth Barnard, Executive Member for Bracknell Children's Services said: "Bullying is a significant issue for children and young people and Bracknell Forest is working hard to help the borough’s children feel safe.

"Anti-bullying week is great as it highlights the help and support available for children experiencing these problems.

"I fully support the Council in their work on anti-bullying and congratulate the winners on their excellent work!"

Bracknell Forest Borough Council