Around 2,500 pupils from across Havering have once again taken part in this year’s Junior Citizen Scheme, to learn life skills to help keep them safe in their communities.
Now in its 11th year, the scheme teaches youngsters who are soon to transition from primary to secondary school various skills to help them be safer and better deal with different situations.
This included how to travel safely on public transport, have awareness of keeping safe from the dangers of knife crime and drugs and what they might need to do in various emergency situations.
There were also sessions led by Havering Council’s Enforcement team, who raised awareness of the impact of dropping litter has on the community and wildlife around them.
The sessions helped the pupils to think of the ways in which they can help keep the community where they live and go to school, cleaner and greener.
The Council’s enforcement teams run the scheme, together with their partners.
These include the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, Safer Transport Police, Road Safety, Community Safety, Communities Team, Wize Up and Thames Water.
During the scheme, the Deputy Mayor of Havering, Councillor Barry Mugglestone visited to chat to those leading the sessions and joined the pupils in workshops.
As part of its flagship campaign, Where We Live, the Council is encouraging residents, school children and community groups to work with it to make the borough a cleaner and safer place to be and empower communities to take pride
Each school was awarded points for their knowledge and for demonstrating what they have learned during the sessions.
This year, Newtons Primary School was the winning school.
Pupils from Newtons Primary School will be presented with a shield and certificates at Havering Town Hall in July 2025.
Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Deputy Mayor of Havering and Havering’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said:
“I was delighted to go along and help celebrate what is now 11 years of the Junior Citizen Scheme.
“The scheme gives our young people, who will soon be making the big step from primary school to secondary school, the chance to learn various life skills.
"This will help prepare them to have the confidence for the change and challenges they may face in the future.”