7 March 2007
Many schools across South Shropshire are working on a Safer School scheme. Cleobury Mortimer Primary was the latest to be accredited a Safer School.

During a school assembly last week, local MP Philip Dunne presented a certificate and sign in recognition of the hard work put in by staff and pupils to achieve accreditation.

Mr Dunne said: "I had the great pleasure of congratulating the whole school for the effort they put in to secure Safer School status. I was also delighted to learn from the children about the school's imaginative Eco Committee of pupils from each year which earned the school a Green Flag award for caring for the environment."

The Safer School scheme is an "active" policy and illustrates a responsible approach by the school towards ensuring a safer and more secure environment for its pupils, staff and visitors.

Over the last two years; the school has been working with the Police and County Council to meet scheme standards. In two years time, the Police and County Council will monitor the school's record in continuing the Safer School process, in order to maintain its accreditation.

The Safer School scheme is appropriate for all schools in the county both large and small. So far some 50 out of Shropshire's 168 schools have been accredited.

As part of the award local community police officer PC Paul Sparrow presented a Smartwater property marking kit to the school. West Mercia Police recognise and support the use of Smartwater as an effective property marking product used to identify valuable equipment, such as computers, as belonging to a particular owner such as Cleobury Mortimer Primary.

Headteacher Nigel Hubbold said "It was a pleasure to welcome Mr Dunne to the school and for him to address assembly and present the Safer School award. The children quizzed Mr Dunne with some excellent questions on the work of Parliament and MPs in the community."

Photo: Adam Cowell, Headteacher Nigel Hubbold, Governor Caroline Bills, SCC Crime Prevention Officer Ian Bartlett, Jade Turner, PC Sparrow, Philip Dunne