Harrow Way Community School’s excellence in challenging bullying has once again been recognised and endorsed by the national anti-bullying group, BIG (Bullying Intervention Group).
For the second year running (having been the first school in Hampshire in 2017), Harrow Way remains the only school in Hampshire to have been awarded the much coveted Big Award for their exemplary work in bullying intervention.
Commenting on how Harrow Way has a community approach to anti-bullying Headteacher Michael Serridge said “This goes way beyond having an anti-bullying policy in place.
“We have successfully demonstrated to the team at BIG that we have a collaborative approach which embraces our entire school and local community. This is such an important issue that we are updating our own definition of bullying. We are also very committed to ensuring that there is regular staff training in anti-bullying, equality and diversity and our Year 10 Peer Supporters have also undertaken training on restorative justice so they can help resolve conflicts.
“It is vital that every child at this school is enabled to fulfil their true educational potential and enjoy their community activities, without fear of being bullied and happy children are successful students”.
The school also holds regular Tutor Standstills to discuss and debate whether certain situations are bullying or not and regularly reminds students of the consequences if they bully in school. There are half termly Anti-Bullying Meeting which students can attend and students have recently filmed an Anti-Bullying video which they will be sharing with other schools.
Val McFarlane, Director at the Bullying Intervention Group said “Harrow Way School have been awarded the BIG Award for Excellence in Challenging Bullying for their second year now. This is because they have maintained their high level of anti-bullying proactive strategies to make their school a place where pupils feel safe from bullying, and friendship issues are quickly acted upon.
“They have continued to run a successful peer support scheme, have various awareness raising activities and have an active and accessible anti-bullying policy. The staff, parents and pupils have all worked together to achieve this. Well done to all.”
For further information on Harrow Way Community School, please call 01264 364533 or visit www.harroway.hants.sch.uk. Visits to the school by appointment are always welcome.
