A Dumfriesshire school has been recognised for its commitment to an anti-bullying culture.
During Anti-Bullying Week – which ran from November 13 to 17 – Moffat Academy was presented with a national honour from respectme, Scotland’s anti-bullying service.
The award recognises that the academy has consistently created a safe environment for pupils to learn and flourish.
It is designed to help schools and youth services review their anti-bullying policy and practice, and to acknowledge success plus plan for future improvements.
In addition, the national reward accolade recognises the energy that a whole school approach to anti-bullying can generate and the real difference it can make.
Part of the reward criteria asks schools to complete an assessment reviewing anti-bullying work and initiatives.
The process also places an emphasis on children’s voices, by supporting a children’s rights approach by engaging young people in feedback surveys and whole school anti-bullying conversations and initiatives.
Kirstin Candlish, Moffat Academy’s secondary depute of pupil support, said: “Working alongside respectme to undertake this reward has been an extremely worthwhile and important piece of self-evaluation work for us.
“We are delighted to have the recognition for all we try to do to support our young people and, as ever, continue to look for ways we can improve things going forward in conjunction with our young people and their families.
“I would thoroughly recommend all schools to participate in this process with respectme.”
Lorraine Glass, interim director of respectme, made the presentation on a visit to the school. She said: “In this Anti-Bullying Week, we were thrilled to visit Moffat Academy to recognise the efforts and to present their respectme reward certificate in person.
“I know their ongoing commitment to creating an environment where bullying is never acceptable will continue to be a real benefit to the children of the school now and in years to come.
“Our role at respectme is neither one of inspection nor enforcement, instead we seek to build solid, trusting, relationships and act as enablers to help guide, uphold, encourage, celebrate, validate and share good practice wherever we can, and to support improvement and change through respectful challenge and thought leadership. This approach helps nurture a culture of growth rather than one of compliance.”
