Local MPs Meet Wakefield City High Cybermentors

Mary was joined by Schools Secretary Ed Balls at Wakefield City High on 13 November to find out how young people at the school are tackling online bullying.   

Ed and Mary met a group of 'Cybermentors' - pupils who run a support network for young people at the school who are being bullied on social networking sites or by email. The young people are helping to promote Anti-bullying week which runs from the 16th to the 20th of November.  

Ed and Mary also took a tour of the school, and met with the Head Teacher Alan Yellup, and the Head Boy and Head Girl.   

Ed Balls said:   "Wakefield City High has made enormous progress over the last few years. School staff - and the young people themselves - should be proud that this years results put them in the top 6 most improved schools in terms of getting five or more good GCSEs."  

"I was very impressed by the young people who have taken on roles as Cybermentors in the school. They work hard to make other pupils aware that bullying on social networking sites is just as serious as bullying in the playground - and can hurt just as much. Other young people I spoke to at the school know they have somewhere to turn if they're being bullied. The Cybermentors provide a real safety-net."  

Mary said:   "It was a pleasure for me to speak at Wakefield City High's presentation on Thursday night and return there on Friday morning with Ed!"

“We had a good discussion with staff and the school council on a range of issues including cyber bullying.  Headteacher Alan Yellup is an outstanding head - the staff and students are a credit to him and to themselves and their parents."