Cockfield children learning to stay safe

Youngsters in Cockfield are being encouraged to speak out and stay safe.
Specially trained volunteers from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) visited Cockfield Primary School to help give the pupils the knowledge and understanding they need to stay safe from abuse and neglect.
The visit was arranged as part of the NSPCC’s Speak Out Stay Safe programme, which is offered to schools to ensure children learn essential safeguarding information.
Volunteer Susan Evans said: “It is all about them knowing how they can speak out and who they can speak out to. We also tell them that they need to keep speaking out if things don’t change.
“We explain that abuse is never a child’s fault even if an adult tells them it is.”
Age-appropriate assemblies were delivered to both key stage one and key stage two pupils.
The children then took part in lively and interactive classroom workshops led by the NSPCC programme mascot Buddy. These were designed to help the children recognise the signs of abuse, know how to protect themselves from all forms and know how to get help.
Ms Evans said: “We discuss different scenarios and talk about what is okay and what isn’t okay. We also talk about what makes them feel happy and safe. It is essential that children know where to turn to and understand their safety.”
Deputy headteacher Lyn Boustead said: “What we want to get across is keeping children safe and safeguarding them in school.
“The children have their own pupil noticeboard in school and the Childline details are on there. These workshops go into more detail, not to frighten them but to make them aware.”