Local schoolchildren from Swindon have taken part in our annual Junior Good Citizen (JGC) scheme aimed at arming them with life skills.
The scheme engages young people in a fun and safe learning environment to equip them with the skills they need as they make their transition from Primary to Secondary Education.
The multi-agency scheme engages schools, emergency services and local authorities who work together in partnership to educate children from Year 6 (aged 10 and 11) to better safeguard themselves and help others.
Approximately 1,700 students from 37 Swindon primary schools took part in scenarios that challenged their skills and understanding.
2019 scenarios included:
- Personal Safety – Wiltshire Police
- Dog Safety – Swindon Borough Council & Blue Cross animal rescue
- Internet Safety – Swindon Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB)/SBC
- Road Safety – Swindon Borough Council
- Electrical Safety – Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue
- Railway Safety – British Transport Police
- Weapons awareness – Youth Offending Team & Community Safety Partnership
- Envirocrime – Swindon Borough Council (SBC)
The top three schools this year areBishopstone C of E Primary coming in first place and Wanborough Primary School and Westlea Primary School sharing second place. Milbrook Primary School received a highly commended certificate.
PCSO Coles said; “The emphasis of this scheme is for young people to have fun while they learn about how they can keep themselves and those in their communities safe.
“We work with several partnership agencies to offer a comprehensive scheme which encompasses as many different scenarios as possible.
“All scenarios can affect our young people living in Swindon. They help them to make the right choices both at home or out in the community. We believe this will help improve their understanding of how to stay safe and who to report things.”
Yasmin Ellis, Education Coordinator for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said; “Junior Good Citizen is a tried and tested interactive learning event for year six pupils.
“I have been supporting it for 14 years and in that time I have enjoyed all those ‘light bulb’ moments that children have when they get the answer or understand the explanation, and put it into practise.
“It is always a pleasure to be part of such a great partnership collaboration. The reward for all our hard work is knowing that these young people will share the learning and remember it, and use it to help keep themselves safe.”
Pam Jones, Lead Envirocrime Education Officer for Swindon Borough Council said; “As in previous year, Junior Good Citizen continues to provide a happy safe environment, where various multi – agencies deliver ‘lessons for life’.
“Awareness is raised regarding a variety of safety & environmental issues and these scenarios provide the perfect setting to cascade potentially life- saving information and empower the children to make informed choices in the future.”
Paul Phelps from the road safety team provided the following feedback; “A young man put his hand up when discussing things that may distract drivers from looking forward through the windscreen.
“We had already discussed alcohol, drugs, arguments in the back seat, mobile phones and doing your hair in the mirror. The young man went on to saya big Mac getting cold on the front passenger seat would be a BIG distraction to a driver!”
“My response was to laugh and then realise he was dead right. With chips and a cold coke I would be looking at my food!
“I used this as an example for the following days and watched the teaching staff’s reaction. We pretty much all had to agree!”
Matt Bywater, Service Manager for Restorative Youth Services said; “Once again the Youth Offending Team (YOT) in Swindon has contributed fully to the planning, launch and delivery of the ‘Junior Good Citizen’ programme across schools in Swindon during the first two weeks of June.
“YOT staff have delivered a variety of educative and interactive sessions to over 1,700 pupils in 37 schools in the community around the anti-crime and youth justice agenda; with a particular focus on carrying and the use of offensive weapons and knives and weapons awareness, and staying and keeping safe.
“We recognise the value and importance of engaging young people in their community and environments and, as such, remain committed to ensuring key messages and education is delivered in a meaningful and impactive way; particularly in respect of those areas where there is heighted public concern.”
