Date: 22nd June, 2016
The annual Junior Good Citizen (JGC) scheme engages young people in a safe learning environment to equip them with life skills as they make their transition from primary to secondary education.
The multi-agency scheme, with funding from the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, engages schools, emergency services and local authorities, who work together in partnership to educate children from Year Six (aged 10 and 11) to better safeguard themselves and help others.
1,281 students from 56 schools across Wiltshire are taking part in scenarios that challenge their skills and understanding, including:
- Staying safe online
- Railway safety
- K9 awareness (being safe around dogs)
- Fire safety
- Personal safety
- Road safety
- Weapons awareness
Junior Good Citizen is taking place over a two-week period between Monday 20 June and Friday 1 July at the Wiltshire Scout Centre in Potterne and is delivered by Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, BlueCross and British Transport Police.
Jackie Chalk, Head Teacher at Seend Church of England Primary School, said: “We attend every year as it gives the Year 6 children some strategies and knowledge to help prepare them for secondary school.
“In a small village school they are very protected, often being taken to and from school by a parent. Suddenly, at secondary school, they become a lot more independent, often walking to school without supervision, meeting up with friends in town and mixing with older children. The world becomes a different place with a whole host of new challenges.
“Junior Good Citizen opens their eyes in a non-threatening way to some of the dangers and helps educate them on how to behave, be responsible and react to a variety of situations. Because these messages are delivered by the experts in their field, it is not something we in school can do so effectively.”
Kate Reavill, from Woodford Valley Primary Academy, said: “Junior Good Citizen is a well organised event, allowing our children to experience a range of opportunities to practise real life skills needed outside the classroom. The children always learn a great deal from it, with the chance for them to hear from other adults and work together to consider what it means to be a good citizen in our communities.”
Julia Hawkins, Head Teacher at Queen’s Crescent, Chippenham, said: “The Junior Good Citizen Scheme is excellent in educating our children about how to keep safe in a variety of everyday situations and how to become better citizens within their community. The children thoroughly enjoy the thought-provoking workshops and are enthusiastic to share learning with others back in school.”