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College’s award-winning Anti-Bullying work

A UK-first anti-bullying award is BIG news forMiddlesbroughCollegewhich has become the first college to receive the accolade from a national anti-bullying group.

The ‘Bullying Intervention Group’ is a social enterprise, created to administer the BIG Award for schools, colleges and services for young people, and while many schools have fulfilled the criteria, the College is the first in the country to achieve this recognised ‘anti-bullying’ status.

The BIG Award is both earned and evidenced. To achieve it, the school or college must:

• Show they are working to an externally agreed standard.
• Employ consistent and updated good practice.
• Actively include young people in their anti-bullying work.
• Work to ensure that every young person can fulfill their potential without fear of being bullied.

Suze Clarke, Student Liaison Officer atMiddlesbroughCollege, said: “We’re really pleased that our work against bullying has been recognised.”

“The BIG award is a national award which recognises that our bullying prevention and intervention work is consistent, comprehensive and thorough.

“We have many avenues that students who feel they are being bullied can turn to for support, from Student Services to Peer Mentors and the Safeguarding Team, as well as our growing Student Union.”

“Our anti-bullying work runs throughout the year and is based on and led by the students’ ideas and initiatives, including focus groups and campaigns.”

The award is testament to the College’s pro-active approach to tackling problems before they begin – it’s all about prevention rather than cure.

Suze Clarke said: “Our anti-bullying work is rooted in preventing bullying from starting by promoting equality, diversity and mutual respect across the College.

“Students and staff from across the College are involved, from tutors to catering and reception staff, it really does encompass the entire College.”

Val McFarlane, Director of the Bullying Intervention Group said: “Middlesbrough College has gone way beyond the expectations of BIG, and has really used innovative and creative ideas to stimulate interest amongst their students about bullying, racism, acceptance and friendship.

“Its policy is excellent and very comprehensive.MiddlesbroughCollegeis creating an inclusive, friendly environment for its students to learn and socialise in, and is doing everything possible to avoid bullying issues. The staff also lead by example in their courteous manner towards each other and their students.”

www.bullyinginterventiongroup.co.uk

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This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Elle Brunton .