New forum will help stamp out the bullies
Support network will engage with young victims
A new forum is to be set up in Wishaw for parents, kids and teachers to help stamp out bullying across the town.
The forum, set up by members of Coltness Community Council, comes in the wake of a meeting with council education chiefs and the police in a bid to tackle bullying at schools in Coltness.
In a statement the community council said: “We are concerned that our young people and their families are feeling isolated in the local community and may experience a variety of issues that we, local volunteers, would like to support.
“We are hoping to start a local support network that will engage parents and carers in how to protect their children from antisocial behaviour, bullying and potential threats to their social, emotional and mental wellbeing.
“We hope we can provide a network of support that all schools in the area can draw on without a lengthy wait; school counsellors are in high demand.
“We would welcome a partnership approach to how we go about meeting common issues shared across our schools with staff, young people and other groups.
“If we work on the key issues highlighted, we believe we will engage our community in a positive approach to tackling the ongoing issues that are pertinent to growing up.”
The plea to tackle bullying has been made by members of the community council after a number of worrying incidents concerning pupils at both Coltness and St Aidan’s High Schools.
One incident involved a 12-year-old boy being forced to move school after he was kicked and stamped on by a classmate.
The community council then passed on a number of incidents to MSP Clare Adamson.
Commu n i t y council chairman John Carr added: “We are hoping to be up and running by the end of March or the beginning of April.
“At the moment we are moving baby steps forward but we will get there.”
North Lanarkshire Council declined to comment on the proposed new forum.
At the moment we are moving baby steps forward but we will get there