Students at Shireland Collegiate Academy have been recognised for their contributions as Anti-Bullying Ambassadors after completing their Community Badge, delivered in partnership with The Diana Award.
The programme saw the group lead a series of initiatives over the academic year aimed at fostering a supportive and respectful school environment. Their work formed part of the Academy’s wider pastoral and student leadership programme, with a focus on strengthening community cohesion.
Examples of these activities included supporting activities during Anti-Bullying Week, and contributing to ongoing initiatives designed to promote kindness across the school, including Random Acts of Kindness campaigns.
Students also played an active role in Culture Day, helping to celebrate diversity across the Academy. They also supported peers through initiatives such as ‘Language Buddies’ and ‘Safe Space Thursdays’, and worked in partnership with Prime Agency, which delivers PSHE-focused workshops in schools using live music and performance, as part of their wider development programme.
As part of their training, the ambassadors completed the ‘How to Be an Upstander’ programme, which focused on recognising and responding to bullying behaviour and supporting fellow students effectively.
Principal, Thomas Daly, said: “We place real value on giving students opportunities to lead, contribute and take responsibility for the culture of our school. The Anti-Bullying Ambassadors programme has been a strong example of that in practice.
“Our students have worked with real purpose and maturity, not only supporting their peers but helping to shape everyday experiences across the Academy. Programmes like this are important because they help young people develop confidence, empathy and leadership in real contexts, which is exactly what we want them to take forward into their lives beyond school.”
The Diana Award Anti-Bullying programme works with schools across the UK to raise awareness of bullying and equip young people to tackle it. With a strong peer-to-peer focus, the programme provides students with the skills and confidence to address bullying in their own schools long after training has been completed. It is widely recognised for its youth-led and sustainable approach to culture change in schools.
Supported by HRH The Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, The Diana Award was founded as a lasting legacy to Diana, the late Princess of Wales. The charity aims to foster, develop and inspire positive change in the lives of young people through a range of programmes and mentoring, including the youth-led Anti-Bullying Ambassadors Programme.
The Anti-Bullying Ambassadors Programme has currently trained over 50,000 young people across the UK to lead anti-bullying campaigns in their schools.
To learn more about The Diana Award, click here.
