Poole Grammar School, Christchurch Learning Centre and Canford Heath Infants and Junior Schools are amongst schools and colleges across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to have achieved gold, ‘All Together’ against bullying awards.

Others across the region received silver and bronze awards.

The government funded programme led by the Anti Bullying Alliance aims to reduce bullying in schools, particularly of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs (SEND).

Schools worked to achieve ‘All Together School’ status by evidencing their activity to improve their school approach to bullying, how they’ve worked to reduce bullying and improve well-being.

Cllr Nicola Greene, portfolio holder for COVID, Public Health and Education said:

“The All Together project 2017 to 2021 has had a positive impact on our schools locally and I am really proud of their achievements. The national report by the Anti Bullying Alliance concluded that schools that have participated in the programme have not only seen a reduction in bullying but improvements in pupils’ behaviour and wellbeing. As a result of the project, the school experience for children attending ‘All Together’ schools is likely to have been more positive and in particular for pupils with SEND and those in receipt of Free School Meals.”

A Year 5 student at Avonwood Primary said: “We don’t have bullying at our school. If it was to happen the teachers would take this very seriously. Even if the bully has something going on in their life, it is not acceptable to take this out on others. Both the bully and the victim would then be supported by our teachers.”

A spokesman from Canford Heath Infants said: “The school has put in a robust (anti-bullying) policy. It has helped the staff to understand what bullying is as opposed to friendship issues and this has had an impact on the way incidents are dealt with.”

Other schools awarded Gold: Ad Astra Infant, Bishop Aldhelm’s CE VA Primary School, Haymoor Junior, Nigel Bowes Campus, Ocean Junior, St Edward’s School-Poole, St Mary’s Catholic Primary school, The Priory CE Primary School, The Quay School and Winchelsea School.

Silver awards went to: Avonwood Primary, Corfe Hills Secondary, Heatherlands Primary School, Hillbourne Primary School, Lilliput Infant School, Longspee Academy and Tregonwell Academy.

Receiving bronze were: Baden-Powell and St Peter’s Junior School, Bournemouth & Poole College, Poole High School, St Clement’s and St John’s CofE Infant School, Sylvan Infant School and Talbot Primary School.

Bearwood Primary and Nursery School received a certificate.