Schools against bullies

MONDAY marks the start of National Anti-Bullying Week and local youngsters will be working together to make a difference.

This year’s theme is “being different, belonging together” and pupils, parent and teachers will spend the week taking part in anti-bullying activities.

Positive Steps Oldham’s Healthy Schools team is holding an emotional well-being conference at the Centre for Professional Development for teaching and support staff from local schools and health advisers on Tuesday.

The following day, pupils from 24 schools will join forces to tackle issues around bullying and take part in sports activities as part of Unity in the Community at Kaskenmoor School.

A recent Ofsted survey showed that Oldham pupils feel safer around the local area and on public transport compared with pupils nationally.

The results reveal that levels of bullying in Oldham are similar to those nationally but that local pupils are less likely to say that bullying is dealt with badly and more likely to say that bullying is not a problem at their school.

Councillor Kay Knox, Cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “The awareness week is an opportunity to send a clear and positive message that bullying is unacceptable in our schools and communities.

“There is already a lot of great work happening in our schools to combat bullying and we must spread the message.”

For more information, visit www.teachernet.gov.uk/ wholeschool/behaviour/ tacklingbullying or call Angela Newman on 0161-770 4027.