Tootoot app helping to defeat bullying at schools

Wigan Council is the first authority in the UK to offer tootoot to all its schools through a match funding programme to provide the app for the next four years.

The app lets pupils report any concerns they have in an easy-to-use format.

Through tootoot young people can alert teachers to a wide range of issues, from bullying, cyber bullying, racism, extremism, radicalisation, sexism, mental health and self-harm.

Tootoot is a Leigh-based company which has worked with more than 1,000 schools across the world, with children in New Zealand, Italy and Dubai among those to benefit from the reporting tool.

Company director Michael Brennan said: “All too often students are scared or just aren't confident enough to speak to someone face-to-face about their concerns, for fear of being identified and potentially making matters worse.

"With tootoot students are able to safely and anonymously tell their place of learning about their concerns and worries, as a first step to resolving them.

“Based in Leigh, I am delighted that we have been able to partner with Wigan Council in order to provide all schools in the borough with tootoot pupil voice and safeguarding platform.”

James Winterbottom, director for children’s services at the council, said: “We want to provide all our young people with a safe environment where they can grow and achieve great things.

"This is a key commitment in The Deal for Children and Young People as young people across the borough have told us they want a digital way to raise concerns as well as continuing to have the important opportunity to speak to teachers, parents and trusted adults.

“Tootoot is an innovative way for us to get the right support for any young person who has concerns about the way people are behaving towards them or others.

"In this digital age it offers an alternative route for young people’s voices to be heard.

"We are delighted to be able to team up with tootoot and our schools to provide this for all young people.”