Both the Secondary and the Primary Phase students at Kettering Science Academy have been reminded of the Academy’s anti-bullying policy during National Anti-Bullying Week.
This week from 17^th -21^st November is the national campaign week for anti-bullying with this year’s theme of Let’s Stop Bullying for All and the students at KSA have been encouraged to remember the school’s stance on not tolerating bullying.
Throughout the week at the Secondary Phase assemblies have been delivered to the various year groups and staff members have been reinforcing the National Anti-Bullying Week’s message to students that no one should be bullied and reminding students that the school has a strict anti-bullying policy.
The assemblies have been led by Mr Tony Segalini, Vice Principal for Behaviour and Attendance.
He spoke about there being no need for bullying and in particular he said students should not be targeted for being different, we should recognise and accept everyone as individuals.
Mr Segalini said: “In this community at KSA we all deserve to be here and enjoy the same experiences as everyone else, to feel safe and secure and not to have to worry about bullying.”
The subject of individuality in the Academy was then discussed by the members of the SEN team at KSA.
SENCO, Miss Kayleigh-Jay Incles led the second part of the assemblies explaining that some students may appear ‘different’ due to learning difficulties or learning disabilities, but she reminded, students of the need to be respectful of everyone’s individual needs within the Academy.
Miss Incles said: “It is okay to be different.” She then added that there are various reasons that make people appear ‘different’ but this makes them individuals and it is important that student’s respect fellow students’ differences.
A short video clip of a student with Autism was shown from the Channel 4 programme, Educating the Eastend to illustrate how learning disabilities effect behaviour making the student appear ‘different’.
Students were challenged to think about this and were reminded that learning disabilities such as this are not about being ‘different’ but make us all individuals.

Kettering Science Academy has an Anti-Bullying Charter, which was launched last year and has been signed by students, the Principal and Chair of Governors. The charter was introduced to show the Academy’s on-going commitment to eliminating bullying.
Every student gets a copy of the charter to sign and the new Year 7 students will be asked to sign the charter soon along with the newly appointed Student Council representatives for each year.

Primary Phase pupils have also been reminded of the anti-bullying message and they are being asked to wear something blue tomorrow, Friday, 21^st November to show their support for the national campaign.