The awards, which are given to schools and youth organisations who demonstrate their commitment to preventing and dealing with bullying among young people, were presented at the Civic Centre’s City Suite on Thursday 17 November.
To achieve charter status, schools and youth organisations must submit evidence and policies to support their application based on five statements in the charter. These are:
- Having clear policies: Discussing, monitoring and reviewing anti-bullying policies on a regular basis
- Take action: Support staff to identify and tackle bullying appropriately
- Tell: Ensure that pupils are aware that all bullying concerns will be dealt with sensitively and effectively
- Take action: Report back quickly to parents/carers regarding their concerns on bullying
- Understand: Seek to learn from anti-bullying good practise elsewhere and utilise the support of the City of Wolverhampton Council when appropriate
Hosted by the Co-production and Youth Engagement Team, the event was introduced by Councillor Christopher Burden, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, and supported by Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.
In a speech to the audience, Councillor Burden reiterated the harm that bullying can cause to young people and commended the schools involved for taking measures to stop it.
The schools awarded charter status were: Aldersley High School, Colton Hills Community School, Dovecotes Primary, East Park Academy, Eastfields Primary, Fallings Park Primary, Green Park, Heath Park, Holy Rosary Catholic Primary Academy, Loxdale Primary, Nishkam Primary, Oak Meadow, Palmers Cross Primary, Pennfields, St Edmunds, SS John and Mary, St Michael’s Catholic Primary Academy and Nursery, SS Peter and Paul Catholic Primary Academy and Nursery, St Stephen’s Church of England Primary School, The Khalsa Academy, Thomas Telford UTC, Trinity Church of England Primary, Villiers Primary, Warstones Primary, Wodenfield Academy and Wolverhampton Girls High.
Councillor Burden said: “It was fantastic to see so many schools attend this special ceremony and show their commitment to help end bullying.
“Sadly, bullying is still a prevalent issue amongst young people and it is crucial that we collectively take steps to help prevent it – and committing to the #YES Anti-Bullying Charter is a great way of doing this.”
Councillor Momenabadi added: “Children’s and young people’s emotional wellbeing, physical and mental health are vitally important and helping to tackle bullying improves this for young people and allows them to become more confident, happy and improves their self-worth. That’s why this charter is so important.”
To find out more about the #YES Anti-Bullying Charter, please visit #YES.
