Vital talk delivered to primary schools
NSPCC host final workshop with Blair pupils
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’s (NSPCC) Speak Out, Stay Safe (SOSS) service has now been delivered to all mainstream primary schools in Perth and Kinross.
The important service visits schools to help children learn how to recognise abuse.
Volunteers delivered the SOSS assembly at St Stephen’s Primary in Blairgowrie last week, meaning all 70 mainstream primary schools in the region have now received the assemblies and workshops.
NSPCC Scotland began delivering the service to primary schools in Scotland in 2012, and since then its staff and volunteers have spoken to tens of thousands of school children the length and breadth of the country.
Research from the leading children’s charity shows that on average at least two children in every primary class across the UK will have suffered some form of abuse or neglect. In the 2017/18
(Back row) NSPCC Scotland schools service volunteer Agnes Ramsay, schools service area co-ordinator Enola Butler and St Stephen’s P6 and P7 teacher Lisa Hegarty. (Front row) Lance St Maria, Kian Donnelly holding St Stephen’s mascot Elliot and Rhiannon Corbin holding NSPCC Scotland’s schools service mascot Buddy
academic term, 34 local authority schools were reached across Perth and Kinross and more than 4550 primary pupils received the service.
Lisa Hegarty, P6 and P7 teacher at St Stephen’s, said: “It was such an important message for the children to receive and it’s vital they know who they can turn to for help if there is something worrying them.
“We are very proud to be the
last school in Perth and Kinross to receive the Speak Out, Stay Safe service and it was great to end on a high note.”
Perth and Kinross Council’s lifelong learning convener, Councillor Caroline Shiers, said: “The visit to St Stephen’s marks a key milestone in the delivery of the Speak Out, Stay Safe programme in Perth and Kinross. NSPCC Scotland has now attended all our primary schools to present very useful advice and guidance to assist school staff, parents and carers, and provide children with the information they need to stay safe and where to seek help from.
“This is key to our ambitions to make sure our children are safe and protected. I’m pleased our continuing partnership with NSPCC Scotland is helping to make a such a valuable difference.”
Alan Stewart, NSPCC Scotland schools service manager, added: “We greatly appreciate the support of the Perth and Kinross local authority in managing to reach so many primary schools and for recognising the value that we can bring to health and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people.
“We look forward to that partnership continuing in the future.”
For details on how to volunteer for the NSPCC in schools see https://www.nspcc.org.uk/whatyou-can-do/volunteering-nspccchildline/volunteer-childlineschools-service/