Lawn Manor Academy marked this year’s Anti-Bullying Week with a special appearance from Swindon-born international martial arts entrepreneur Matt Fiddes (inset above).
The school ran a week-long programme of activities celebrating its pupils and this year’s theme of Power for Good. Staff were also invited to speak on a national anti-bullying panel to share how the school promotes a positive culture of respect and inclusion.
A highlight of the week was an assembly featuring a personalised video message from Matt, who shared how his own experience of being bullied in Swindon inspired him to build a global business now worth over £120 million.
Matt told pupils that the people you surround yourself with have a huge impact on who you become as an adult. He said, “As a martial artist, I could have got into a fight and beat my bullies no problem, but I knew that’s not what my instructor wanted me to do, and I’m better than that. So, I focused on studying, reading books on what I wanted to achieve, learn how to be the best, study the greatest in the world and make myself better.”
Assistant Headteacher and Senior Lead for Anti-Bullying, Marek Koza (pictured above with with Head Pupils Eddie and Rofiat with the school’s pledges), represented the school on the national panel. He spoke about Lawn Manor Academy’s work as part of the United Against Bullying Plus pilot programme, run by the Anti-Bullying Alliance in partnership with Kidscape. The initiative supports schools with additional guidance and staff training.
Marek explained, “Anti-bullying is part of our school’s DNA, and inclusion, respect and celebrating diversity is embedded into everything we do. We encourage pupils to make a difference and use their ‘Power for Good’ by giving them real responsibility and visibility.”
He added, “Through taking on important roles such as ‘Welcome Ambassadors’ and peer mentors our pupils model positive behaviour and inclusion. They take shared responsibility for co-planning events and signing the ‘I RESPECT’ charter each year reinforces shared responsibility and champions kindness and respect.”
Lawn Manor Academy is part of the Ascend Learning Trust. For more information, visit www.lawnmanor.org.
