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Home » News & Events » 2010 » September » St Bede's Middle School wins Young Citizens Challenge

St Bede's Middle School wins Young Citizens Challenge

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St Bede's Middle School in Redditch is celebrating after winning this year's Young Citizens Challenge, an event held at the Fire Station in Redditch between 15th and 22nd September.


Church Hill Middle School and Woodfield Middle School were runners up in the competition.

School children from across the town took part in the Challenge, an initiative aimed to encourage youngsters to think about their personal safety and the safety of others as they face a range of different situations. It was organised by Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) and supported by West Mercia Police, Worcestershire County Council's Road Safety Department and the Anti-Social Behaviour Team from Redditch.

Year Six pupils from five middle schools took part, and each team was awarded points for their behaviour and the skills they demonstrated as they attempted each of the four challenges. These included a range of safety-related situations children might face, such as how to get out of a smoke-filled house or what action to take if they witness a crime. They also looked at anti-social behaviour and the effects it can have on a local community, and the dangers and consequences of throwing objects at passing vehicles.

Julie Udall, Community Safety Advisor for H&WFRS in Redditch and Bromsgrove, said: "The Young Citizens Challenge aims to make children aware of the dangers they might face in a range of situations and to give them guidance and the confidence needed to react in a way that will help them and anyone with them to stay safe.

"We had teams from five Redditch schools participating and we were very impressed with their behaviour and the way they approached the tasks we set them. It was a fun-filled week for everyone involved and we'd like to pass on our congratulations to the winners. We hope the safety messages will stay with all of the youngsters who took part."

She also thanked the partner agencies for their support with the Challenge.