This week, around 180 Year 8 students at King James I Academy have taken part in a special event with a focus on staying safe in a variety of life situations.

A variety of seminars and workshops, which were delivered by specialist organisations including the Police, Lifeline and the RNLI, were designed to raise awareness of current issues from cyber safety and hate crime to relationships and drug awareness.

It is a sad fact that with the growth in the use of technology, young people are becoming increasingly vulnerable to issues such as cyber-bullying and child grooming. However, events like these help to alert teenagers to the potential risks, give them the knowledge to avoid harm and empower them to take charge of their own safety.

As the warmer weather approaches and young people are drawn to swimming in rivers and the sea, students learned about water safety and the impact of Cold Water Shock, which was enlightening for many. They also heard about the risks associated with alcohol and drug use, and were able to experience the effects of alcohol in the "Beer Goggles' demonstration. Wearing the special glasses, which simulate the effect of being under the influence, volunteers were asked to perform a set of simple challenges such as throwing a ball and walking in a straight line; as expected, participants did not perform well! Following this, students considered whether it would be safe to get into a car with someone who had been drinking or taking drugs, or indeed whether it would be safe to walk home alone in this vulnerable condition.

In a seminar on relationships, students debated what constitutes abuse and learned how to identify the signs of emotional and mental abuse which are often ignored or excused. Through clips of relevant storylines in well-known TV shows such as Hollyoaks, the speaker was able to initiate a debate where young people spoke about inappropriate control and bullying in all kind of relationships. Afterwards, students said that the session had made them think more about the relationships that surround them and more confident to seek help should they ever find themselves in a difficult position.

King James would like to thank all of the participating organisations for their support in delivering this excellent event.