A YORK MP has written to schools across the city to help highlight the importance of an anti-bullying programme.

Julian Sturdy, MP for York Outer, wrote to the city’s primary and secondary schools to bring to their attention the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors Programme, run by The Diana Award, a charity established as a legacy to Diana, Princess of Wales.

To date the programme, which is free of charge for schools, has trained more than 31,000 young people from more than 3,000 schools across the country. The programme consists of a one-day training session to equip students, staff and parents with the knowledge, confidence and skills to effectively tackle bullying both online and offline. In addition, a dedicated anti-bullying ambassador will be designated for every school: young people trained to provide peer-to-peer support and lead ongoing anti-bulling initiatives in their classrooms.

Commenting on the programme Mr Sturdy said: “I am proud to be supporting such an important programme which is already making a positive difference in York. Earlier this year I saw this for myself at Manor CE Academy in my constituency where students and staff were taking part in an engaging and well-run training day.

“The peer-to-peer approach of the programme has the potential to make a real difference and I hope that other local schools will consider training their own anti-bulling ambassadors using the fantastic resources that the Diana Award is providing.”

In 2017 Jemima Browning, who attended Tadcaster Grammar School, was awarded the Diana Legacy Award for her work with the Play Unified campaign, run by Special Olympics GB and Youth Sport Trust, which aims to break down barriers for those with intellectual disabilities.