Children at Newington Community Primary School in Ramsgate are being urged to Speak Out and Stay Safe.
They are taking part in the nationwide NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) programme that gives a generation of children the knowledge and understanding they need to stay safe from abuse and neglect.
Pupils are taught to speak out if they are worried, either to a trusted adult or to Childline.
Pupils aged from five to eleven have taken part in special assemblies and workshops that focus on safeguarding in a lively and interactive way that helps them understand abuse in all its forms and recognise the signs and know how to protect themselves.
Trained NSPCC staff and volunteers have worked with teachers and pupils at Newington to help children understand about different types of abuse so that they can get help if or when they need it. This includes talking about neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and bullying.
Teacher Daniela Appleby said: “This is an excellent well-structured programme that gives children the right amount of important information in a clear and understandable way.
“For example, in the workshops they envisaged a ‘sack of worries’ with the answer that there is no problem to big or too small that will not be listened to, and that they should never feel isolated with their fears and that there is a structure in place to help them.”
The Speak Out and Stay Safe initiative follows on from the school’s powerful self-made video highlighting cyber bullying that was produced by pupils and staff. The idea of the film is to reinforce the steps being taken by the school to help pupils – and children everywhere – to use social media safely.
It also aims to encourage families to be aware of what social media applications are being used by children in order to safeguard their online use.
Head teacher Cliff Stokes said: “Our primary aim is to ensure our children are safe and happy, to enjoy fulfilled lives through decent values and through learning.”
Get help
NSPCC helpline 0808 800500
Childline 0800 1111