Oaktree Nursery and Primary School in Park South has been given the HOPE Award.
The accolade recognises the school’s commitment to providing recognition and support to educating their pupils on healthy relationships.
The HOPE Award goes to schools which have completed Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SDASS)’s HOPE Programme, which helps schools to support families and prevent future victims of domestic abuse.
As well as giving pupils specially developed, age-appropriate lessons on healthy relationships, it provides schools with staff training as well as a direct line of support through dedicated domestic abuse workers, who also hold drop-in sessions at the school for local families.
Oaktree Nursery and Primary School is the first school to complete the programme and received the award from Patron of SDASS, the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton.
Year 6 pupils Ziad and Amaka took part in the lessons, led by Heidi and Cassie, SDASS’ School Support Workers. They said: “Heidi and Cassie taught us how to treat and respect people equally. After this valuable lesson we remember drawing our immediate families.
"We also made a little poster that Cassie laminated so that we could put it somewhere special. We particularly enjoyed learning about each other and playing games with each other as a year, saying what we loved about ourselves and what we didn’t like.”
Deputy Headteacher of Oaktree Nursery and Primary School Kate Howard said: “We’re really proud of what we’ve achieved as a school through the HOPE Programme and the very special work that SDASS do.
"Being kind is one of our Oaktree values and the lessons that our pupils took part in helped them to learn how to be good friends and to think about other people. For us, learning and understanding how to be a good person is just as important as maths and English skills.”
The HOPE Programme and Award is available to all schools in the Swindon area, including primary and secondary schools.
SDASS’ Children and Young People Manager Emma Maclennan explained: “Education is a key part of ensuring that the next generation can live a life free from domestic abuse. We are very grateful to Oaktree for welcoming SDASS into their school with such enthusiasm for the programme and we look forward to a continued partnership.
“By achieving the HOPE Award, staff at the school have increased their knowledge and awareness of domestic abuse and the impact that it can have on children.
"They have been committed to making their school a safe space where the whole school community can access support and advice via one of the SDASS School Support Workers and pupils have enjoyed sensitive and age-appropriate Healthy Relationship sessions.”
For more information on the HOPE Programme, people can email Emma Maclennan on [email protected]
People needing advice regarding domestic abuse can call the confidential 24/7 SDASS Helpline, which is always answered by an advisor, on 01793 610610.
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