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Safety In Action 2009

Well over a thousand Primary School pupils came to Towers School in June for Ashford Borough Council’s Safety In Action fortnight, making it the most successful event in its three year history.

 

Hosted by Ashford Borough Council’s Community Safety Unit, Safety In Action is a two-week programme of workshops for children to learn about a wide range of safety issues as they get ready to make the transition to Secondary school.

 

The children were split into small groups as they attended a series of ten-minute workshops designed to raise their awareness of safety issues, increase confidence in their personal safety skills and teach them about the importance of being a responsible citizen.

 

The sessions were delivered by representatives from Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, St John Ambulance, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and Kent County Council, with pupils from Towers School also running sessions and acting out real-life scenarios to make the day interactive and more engaging.

 

Workshop topics included road, fire and railway safety, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, stranger danger, peer pressure and bullying.

 

Following feedback from children at last year’s event, the 2009 programme included a workshop on beach and water safety with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and a session about the dangers of using the internet and the importance of keeping personal details secure.

 

The children won points on the day as they were tested on their observation skills and knowledge and understanding of safety issues.  The school who has reached the highest points tally will win a cash prize for their school.

 

Cllr Michael Claughton, portfolio holder for community safety, was among guests who attended a VIP day to see how the programme works.  He said, “Safety In Action helps the council and its partners in community safety to raise awareness of some of our key objectives, such as reducing criminal damage and tackling anti-social behaviour.

 

“I was struck by the knowledge and awareness these young children already had about many of the very serious issues covered, and I was impressed with how quickly they took on new ideas and lessons.”

 

“The workshops are fun, interactive and challenging, and I’m sure these children will not forget the lessons they learned.

 

Ashford Borough Council’s Community Safety Manager David Lloyd added, “These events are crucial as they help us to get our message across in a really effective way and we are delighted that so many primary schools in the borough came along this year.

 

“I would like to thank all of the agencies that helped us to make it such a great success.  Special thanks must go to the pupils and teachers from Towers School for their support, hospitality and help with delivering many of the safety workshops.”

 

 

Media Release 0205/09

30/06/09

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