A BARNOLDSWICK primary school was amongst a cluster of schools awarded a grant to help children combat bullying.

Natalie Wood, headteacher at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, applied for the £9,975 grant from Big Lottery Fund's Awards for All, on behalf of a number of primary schools in the Pendle Network Learning Community.

The project, called Anti-bullying, conflict management and self-defence for our young, aimed to equip pupils with important life skills to help them overcome bullying if they were to encounter it later.

The project was delivered in two parts: anti-bullying and conflict management as well as an introduction to taekwondo.

The sessions were led by Phil Downing, a trained instructor who visited each school and worked mainly with year six pupils preparing for the transition to high school.

“The project was a huge success," said Mrs Wood. "We were very fortunate to secure this funding, which was not only for our own pupils but for pupils in our Pendle cluster whom we work closely with.

"The programme was invaluable; it teaches the children key skills which help prepare them for the real world. We want all our pupils to be healthy, stay safe, be confident to move onto high school and feel confident in their community.”

The children at St Joseph’s also participated in an after-school taekwondo club which was open to pupils from years two to six.

Mrs Wood said: “Phil sets a very calm, disciplined atmosphere which the children responded to very well."

Some children have since gone on to join a taekwondo club.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson MP spoke about how beneficial the Big Lottery grants were for local organisations.

He said: "There are grants currently available for voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises and I would like to urge all projects and groups around Pendle to get an application in. They provide a great boost to the charity and voluntary sector in Pendle.”