ILMINSTER NEWS: Ilminster headteachers talk to children about Stranger Danger

HEADTEACHERS will be reminding children about the importance Stranger Danger following unsavoury incidents in Ilminster last week.

Two separate groups of younger students from SwanmeadSchool were approached while walking home after school on Friday (February 5, 2016) by an individual in a car.

Headteacher Mark Walker said that he and staff had chatted with the pupils involved this morning (Monday, February 8, 2016) and that there would be an assembly this afternoon where Stranger Danger would be discussed.

“The pupils involved acted extremely responsibly and very soon afterwards the police were called,” he said.

“It is always very alarming when an incident of this nature occurs in our school community and I know many of you have contacted the school and taken to social media to raise your concerns.

“I will be emphasising to the children that they are very lucky to live in a safe community like Ilminster and also in a world where the overwhelming majority of people are truly fantastic.

“Using assembly time and tutor time we will take the opportunity to remind our children about the importance of keeping themselves safe and how to react in the rare moments when situations like this might happen.

“The fact that our young people dealt with Friday’s situation so bravely, collectively and intelligently pays real testament to what you have taught your children as parents and the fine work that has obviously occurred in our local schools.

“We all have a responsibility in keeping our children safe in Ilminster and Friday’s incident has furthermore heightened the need to continue to talk and educate them in making these safe decisions.”

Headteacher at GreenfyldeFirstSchool in Ilminster, Claire Oaten, said that she was visited at home on Saturday (February 6, 2016) by police who informed her of the events of the previous day.

“We do a lot of work in school regarding safety for our pupils as especially at their young age we need to be reinforcing a constant message so that we are proactive rather than reactive to incidents that happen.”

Police have been carrying out investigations into the incidents. If anyone has any information regarding the incidents on Friday – please contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.

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