STAFF at Rednock School in Dursley are set to launch a confidential text and email system among other ideas to further expand their work to combat bullying.

The school’s head teacher David Alexander said that the new service is one of a few ways staff aim to combat bullying after talks with some of their pupils.

This follows an article from the Gazette last month which, after talks with over a dozen parents and pupils, found concerns about bullying which had led some pupils to self-harm and consider suicide.

Mr Alexander stated: “For students and parents we intend to create a text number/email address to be used to report bullying; this would be confidential and could be anonymous if necessary.

“There is already a successful, established system of four full time non-teaching staff (community support officers) dedicated to pastoral support of all students, plus four experienced community leaders and trained tutors.

“The School will continue with the scheduled Life Skills lessons and assemblies which occur during the course of a school year.

“These have proved effective in highlighting anti-bullying procedures and promoting a culture of tolerance.

“Consequences and sanctions for those caught bullying will be emphasised more and enforced; the use of outside agencies as well as the importance of bringing parents in as part of a wide ranging and effective strategy to combat any bullying will be continued and developed.

His comments come after meeting with Rednock pupil Izzy Winterbourne and her mum Fleur, both of whom had raised concerns about bullying.

Izzy gave first hand details of how to support students – and is going to be one of Rednock’s ‘Guardian Angels’ when she returns to attend the school’s Sixth Form.

Mr Alexander stated: “She will be one of a group of specially selected students who have the sensitivity and strength to advise and support students.

“Her knowledge of the circumstances of being isolated and vulnerable make Izzy a powerful voice.”

Another suggestion following the meeting was for mobile phones in school should to be handed in at the beginning of the day if the user has been a participant in social media bullying and school staff would ask that parents sign up to this.

After discussions it was agreed that further volunteers in the school would be a great benefit to combat bullying and that more of a partnership between pupils, parents and staff would be the key to cracking the issue.