Gosport junior school get session with England athlete

Youngsters at Gomer Junior School in Gosport were put through their paces by sprinter and Commonwealth Games hopeful Kieran Showler-Davis.

The school is running activities across the week, such as writing poems and watching videos to help raise awareness of the issue.

Headteacher Georgina Mulhall said: ‘Although we do not have a problem with bullying at our school, we make sure it is one of our key responsibilities.

‘We think it is important children understand what bullying is, the issues around it and, if there was a problem, the strategies in place for them.

‘A lot of young children now have access to the internet, so cyber bullying is an issue that we cover.

‘We want to ensure we can safeguard children and help educate parents.

‘We’re a very sports-focused school and this was a great way to get children involved but we have a range of activities across the week.’

Sharon Toone, who is Gomer’s social, moral, spiritual and cultural leader, added: ‘It’s about linking in self-esteem, being respectful to others and creating the self-awareness of bullying in different ways.’

Through the day, pupils were put through their paces with a number of exercises that Kieran, 
who has competed against Great Britain sprinter Joel Fearon, takes part in every day. He gave a presentation to the pupils about his achievements and shared how he was bullied when he started secondary school.

The 25-year-old, who has aspirations of making the England squad for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, said: ‘I have had the experience of being bullied so it was good to talk to the kids.

‘Sport is a good way of making friends, who have your back for you when you grow up.’

‘Once they see professional sports people spreading the message about bullying, hopefully kids will learn.’