TWO primary schools have been helping their pupils to understand that they always have a right to feel safe, and that they can speak to a trusted adult or Childline if they ever need help or support.

Ludgershall-based Wellington Eagles Primary School and Wellington Lions Primary School in Tidworth have adopted the NSPCC’s school-based programme to teach children between the ages of five and 11 about issues that they could encounter including abuse, neglect and bullying. The programme, called Speak out Stay safe, aims to empower children to speak out and seek help, should they ever need it.

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PSHE school lead coordinator Maxine Handley-Wells, who is running Speak out Stay safe at Wellington Eagles and Wellington Lions, says the NSPCC has found that school-based educational programmes not only increase children’s understanding of abuse, neglect and bullying, but also increase the likelihood of their disclosing incidents of victimisation or abuse.

“Speak out Stay safe begins with an assembly presentation for all pupils aged five to 11, which introduces the different types of maltreatment and bullying, helps them to identify their trusted adults, and encourages them to seek help if or when they need it,” she said.

“The older children, aged nine to 11, then take part in a one-hour classroom workshop where they explore the definitions of abuse in greater depth, particularly sexual abuse and neglect. The crucial thing is that children understand that they always have a right to feel safe, and that they can speak to a trusted adult or Childline if they ever need help or support.”

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All pupils take part in the programme, but parents can opt out of their children taking part in an end-of-programme survey, should they wish. Teaching staff who have delivered the programme to their class are also asked to take part in a survey to further develop the programme.

Both schools are part of the Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust.

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