Kent Police hosts school scheme in Sittingbourne tackling VAWG

Students from a school in Sittingbourne have become champions in the campaign to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) thanks to a scheme run by Kent Police.

Neighbourhood officers attended Borden Grammar School between February and July 2025 to host regular monthly meetings with representatives from each year group.

Discussions and learning took place on VAWG issues such as promoting safer public spaces for women, the importance of respect and challenging unacceptable behaviour.

The student representatives then held presentations to impart the information shared in the meetings to the whole school community.

The VAWG Student Champions - who will be given a white ribbon to wear, the emblem of the White Ribbon UK charity - will be a point of contact within the school for promoting and delivering the campaign messages. They are set to continue meeting regularly in the next school year and beyond.

PC Matthew Ongley said: 'Meeting with the students from Borden Grammar School has provided a fantastic opportunity to share important messages with young people who can be brilliant ambassadors in the fight against VAWG. 'It was great to see the Student Champions share their learning with the rest of the school and deliver impactful presentations on how we can all work together to tackle these issues. We hope to also bring the VAWG Champions scheme to other schools in the future.'

Ashley Tomlin, Head Teacher at Borden Grammar School, said: 'We are extremely proud of our students who volunteered to work with Kent Police and be a part of such a crucial project. This has helped support a broader pastoral curriculum which focuses on developing positive student values, meaning that they are not only successful academically, but also become good citizens.'