Norfolk school to trial technology to stop bullying

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Woodlands Primary School children Tallulah, Fletcher and Milly, all aged 10.Image source, ANDREW TURNER/BBC
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Tallulah, Fletcher and Milly, all 10, said bullying could have a lifelong impact on victims

Technology designed to help children tackle bullying is to be trialled at a primary school in Norfolk.

The Student Voice app can be used by pupils to report incidents that have made them feel vulnerable, whether they took place in person or online.

It will be made available on tablets around Woodlands Primary Academy in Bradwell, near Great Yarmouth.

Staff said they hoped the app would encourage youngsters to report anything impacting their lives.

Deputy head Laura Brett said: "It just enables children another way to talk about things that are concerning them - or going well for them - whether in school, the community or in their home.

"They can go through and log their concerns and it will be fed back to me so I can deal with those."

Image source, ANDREW TURNER/BBC
Image caption,

Deputy head Laura Brett hoped it would encourage youngsters to report issues to staff

A group of 10-year-old pupils said bullying was an important issue that can badly affect young people.

Fletcher said incidents can "stay with you for the rest of your life", Milly added that victims may struggle with their education, while Tallulah said people can be left "scarred" by bullying.

Head of personal, social and health education Chris Brooks said: "We want to create a culture here at Woodlands that allows children to speak openly about negative behaviour and the impact it's having on them, their lives and education.

"We actively encourage them to speak up about it as and when it happens."

Image source, ANDREW TURNER/BBC
Image caption,

Head of personal, social and health education Chris Brooks said the app could help tackle negative behaviour

You can find help and advice about bullying on the BBC's Own It website.

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