The Youth, and Nothing but the Youth.

Another piece which started out as a simple press release. The man behind the scenes, Vitto Farsi, is an incredibly cool guy, and is only 18 years old. Actually makes me feel old!

This was produced for the Wood & Vale, appearing on page 8 of the Nov 23rd '07 issue.

Students at Quinton Kynaston School took the initiative in tackling bullying on Wednesday, at Westminster Educational Department’s annual anti-bullying event.

The workshop, held to coincide with National Anti-Bullying Week, was lead by students of the school, which plays host to one of the largest and most active Student Voice faculties in the UK.

The student led seminar displayed how the voice of students can give a whole school approach to anti-bullying.

Vitto Farci, based at the school and at just 18, the UK’s youngest ever educational consultant, said:

“The whole focus was on cyber bullying. We asked: ‘Are adults in the best position to talk about how to use the internet, and mobile communications, to combat bullying?’

“To promote a complete anti-bullying ethos in schools, we need to come up with ways of empowering the students.”

Alongside the student message, the event included a series of high profile speeches, including a presentation from Quintin Kynaston head Jo Shuter.

Ms Shuter was recently awarded the National Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School award at the Teaching Awards 2007.

There are over a hundred students involved with Student Voice at Quintin Kynaston, with eight Student Leaders sitting on the Student Leadership Team. These eight are the students who run Student Voice, and who spoke at the workshop.

The school also took the opportunity to preview their “Student Voice- The Key to Anti-Bullying” DVD, which is being made available to all Westminster Schools.

Student Voice had an active role in the DVD, helping with filming, deciding on content, conducting interviews, and overseeing editing.

Last year the school hosted the first ever Student Voice conference, with over 40 London schools in attendance. It was the first conference in the UK to be organised and lead entirely by students.

As Mr Farci explains: “Student Voice not only ensures students views and opinions are heard and valued; it also allows students to positively contribute back to the school, which really enhances the positive ‘can do’ ethos of the school.”