Knife Crime Workshop

17 May Knife Crime Workshop

On Friday 10^th May Year 9 had the fantastic opportunity to attend a series of Knife Crime Workshops. As we know from reading the news and from our own experience when we lost a former student, Jodie Chesney to a knife crime incident, knife crime is a persistently damaging and growing crime that is taking lives and harming families all over London and the UK. As a result, more needs to be done to raise the profile of knife crime, our young people need to know that carrying/using a sharp object has legal implications, harmful consequences and can ruin the lives of everyone surrounding an incident (victim and perpetrator).

The day was split into three workshops, one from the police, one from the ambulance service and one from an older brother of a knife crime victim. The police workshop included the legalities surrounding carrying a sharp object, using a sharp object and explained the notion of ‘joint enterprise’. The paramedics explained to Year 9 how an injury with a sharp object can affect the body, how to deal with such and injury and some personal stories of dealing with knife crime incidents.

Finally, and most powerfully, Nathan told the group about how he lost his younger brother to knife crime and he was completely innocent. It was a difficult day for Year 9, but also one of great importance. The day finished with Year 9 being told that each and every one of them was special, important and amazing. They were asked to stand up if they believed these things about themselves and eventually, everyone was up and shouting back at our speakers that ‘We are Special’.

We are extremely grateful for the time we were given on Friday by these three groups of important people. I was also exceptionally proud of the way that Year 9 conducted themselves across the day and how they demonstrated their respect as Nathan told us his story. I sincerely hope that our message of ‘Go Straight Home’ has been heard and that if they see or hear about a knife related incident that they will report it to keep others safe.

Miss Draisey

Head of Year 9