Stamford Park Trust Stands United Against Bullying

At Stamford Park Trust, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment where everyone—students and staff alike—feels valued and supported. A community free from bullying is vital for happiness, productivity, and success. This Anti-Bullying Week, we proudly stood together to champion the theme of respect and kindness, reinforcing our dedication to combating intolerance and ensuring everyone is treated with care and understanding.

We’re so proud of all the activities that took place across the Trust to promote Anti-Bullying Week and encourage a safe and inclusive environment for all our Trust family.

On Tuesday, 12th November, students and staff at Longdendale High School celebrated individuality by wearing odd socks, a reminder that everyone is different but equal. Staff also awarded Respect Value Cards to recognise acts of kindness and respect throughout the school.

Other highlights from the week included:

• KS3 PSHE lessons focusing on anti-bullying, tolerance, conflict resolution, respect, and the risks associated with social media misuse.
• Inspiring assemblies, where students learnt about becoming Anti-Bullying Ambassadors. Those selected are now on duty in orange hi-vis vests, providing peer support and referring concerns to staff as needed.

Fairfield High School embraced the Anti-Bullying Week theme of ‘Choose Respect’, weaving it into everyday activities and discussions, including:

• Morning form time sessions, where tutors led discussions on respect and inclusion, linking the theme to the school’s core value of being a Responsible Citizen.
• The creation of the Fairfield Unity Chain, a vibrant display of unity and positivity. Each student and staff member added their name and a kind or respectful message to a coloured strip of paper, which was then connected to form a chain displayed along the school’s main corridor.

Ashton Sixth Form College also joined in by wearing odd socks, a simple yet powerful symbol of celebrating differences and promoting equality. The college demonstrated its commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect, with staff and students alike taking part in conversations about kindness and understanding.

To mark Anti-Bullying Week and World Kindness Day, staff across the Trust contributed to a Kindness Wall. This initiative encouraged everyone to share notes of positivity, appreciation, and encouragement or simply stop to read others messages and create a shared moment of solidarity and support.

Anton McGrath, CEO of Stamford Park Trust reiterated the importance we put on creating a safe environment, commenting: “Bullying inflicts pain and harm on everyone involved. Across our Trust, we actively work to address and prevent it through anti-bullying programmes, ambassador roles, and student leadership teams. Our values emphasise mutual respect, and we refuse to tolerate bullying in any form. Learning to disagree respectfully is vital for a future free from bullying, and Stamford Park Trust is committed to supporting and caring for those affected by harmful behaviour.”

At Stamford Park Trust, we are united in our mission to create a culture where bullying has no place. Through small acts of kindness and larger collective efforts, we are building a stronger, more inclusive community. Together, we are shaping a future where respect and understanding are at the heart of everything we do.