Latest News

Hard-hitting warnings and advice were given to help young people to keep safe and well in a variety of scenarios.

Year 8 students at Forest Hall School spent a whole day off of the usual timetable to focus on their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

The Keeping Children Safe day saw students take part in a workshop on knife crime which got them thinking about the choices they make and the relevant areas of the criminal justice system.

They also heard about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, hearing the real story of an addict who turned their life around.

A focus on good mental health saw students spend time relaxing and completing mindfulness colouring outside on the day.

The day also involved information on railway safety and online dangers.

Lewis Davis, humanities instructor, said: “It was quite an intense day.

“We feel it has a bigger impact on young people to go through all of this information in one day. They go away with little snippets of information which stay with them. It is information they would not necessarily get from a conventional school day. Students expanded their knowledge and that has an impact on their other lessons, which is fantastic to see.

“Year 8 is a funny age when they are not really children, but not quite adults; they are getting ready to start their GCSE courses and are most likely starting to go out socialising in public areas without older people with them. They are starting to get that independence, but they are not yet completely street wise. The opportunity to go through workshops like these allows them to be independent safely.”