27 schools in Northamptonshire have received an
Anti-Bullying Alliance accreditation as part of Northamptonshire County
Council’s partnership with the ABA All Together Programme.
The online programme aims to help every school in the county
prevent bullying and improve student wellbeing by training school staff to
become leaders in anti-bullying practices, and make long-lasting change.
When schools achieve the award they get a gold, silver or
bronze status, which demonstrates they are doing everything they can as a
school to support children, parents and staff if a young person is being
bullied.
Among the schools to receive the accreditation are Briar
Hill Primary School, Bridgewater Primary School, Compass Primary, Corby
Technical School, Grange Primary, Greens Norton CE Primary, Irthlingborough
Junior School, Irthlingborough Nursery and Infant, Kingsthorpe College
Secondary, Oakway Primary, The Bliss Charity School, The Ferrers School,
Trinity CE Primary School, Wollaston Primary and Secondary School and Rushden
Academy.
Campion school and Language College were awarded a gold
accreditation in March 2020.
Steve King, Designated Safeguarding Lead at Campion School,
said: "The ABA award process was really helpful to us to look at our
anti-bullying work to date. It helped us realised we did a lot, but there was
more we could do.
"The student survey was very powerful as was the involvement
of governors and parents. Having now achieved the gold award, I am proud our
work has been recognised and thoroughly recommend the programme."
This year's programme will take place virtually and includes
a school transformation plan to improve student wellbeing, with a special focus
on reducing bullying of disabled children and those with special educational
needs (SED).
Northamptonshire County Council online safety officer Simon
Aston, said: "The initiative is a great opportunity for schools to improve
their wellbeing and take a look at their current anti-bullying practice with an
outlook to instil important long-term change.
"Schools will gain access to an online hub where they
can communicate with parents, review anti-bullying practices, and create
an action plan that is tailored to their needs."