Cornish Pirates join NSPCC’s fight against child abuse

Cornish Pirates join NSPCC’s fight against child abuse

Cornish Pirates players switched the rugby pitch for the classroom, spending a morning at a local primary school to show their support for an NSPCC initiative that helps keep children safe from harm.

The children’s charity’s Schools Service delivered its Speak out Stay safe programme to children at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Penzance this morning.

They were delighted to be joined for the special assembly by rugby stars Javier Rojas Alvarez, Jordan Payne and Danny Cutmore who sat in on the session to find out more about how the charity helps children learn about staying safe from physical, sexual and emotional abuse as well as neglect and bullying.

The sessions are delivered by trained members of staff and volunteers in an age-sensitive approach and teach children about the different kinds of abuse, the signs, and how to identify trusted adults they can speak to if they have a worry or concern.

Childline mascot Buddy attends every school visit, but shared this morning’s spotlight with guest of honours from the Cornish Pirates, who have given their backing to the scheme.

Lock for the Cornish Pirates, Danny Cutmore, said:

It was great to be a part of this assembly and aiding the children in further understanding the ways in which to stay safe.

Deputy headteacher at St Mary’s Catholic School, Jen Barnard added:

It is paramount that children understand how to keep safe and what better way to present this to children than with the support of the Cornish Pirates.

The NSPCC’s Speak out Stay safe assembly and workshops will be something that the children at St Mary’s will remember, and they are given the skills to stay safe.

In the last academic year more than 12,000 children from 68 schools across the county welcomed NSPCC staff and volunteers to deliver the free Speak out Stay safe assemblies and workshops.

Michelle Green from the NSPCC’s Schools Service said: “It was wonderful to have players from the Pirates supporting our important work in primary schools across the Duchy.

We know that two children in every classroom has suffered from abuse or neglect, and so it’s important we deliver these simple, but important messages to children.

We want all children to grow up feeling safe, and with the knowledge of how to speak out to a trusted adult if they don’t.

For further information please contact NSPCC South West press office on 01752 422590 or email [email protected]

Notes to Editors:
• Pictures and captions attached
• Video / audio content available
• Speak Out Stay Safe video content
• The NSPCC’s Childline service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk
• Adults can contact the NSPCC’s Helpline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0808 800 5000, by texting 88858 or visiting www.nspcc.org.uk