St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Newton Aycliffe is proud to celebrate its growing partnership with Newton Aycliffe Police - an inspiring collaboration that is helping pupils develop as responsible, compassionate, and active citizens within their local community.
Through the school’s ongoing Mini Police programme, Key Stage 2 pupils have taken part in a range of initiatives designed to educate and empower them around key local issues. From road safety and traffic awareness to civic responsibility and crime prevention, the sessions aim to foster a deep understanding of how young people can make a positive difference.
One recent initiative saw the Mini Police team take to the streets to monitor local speed levels and promote safe driving around the school area. The children played a hands-on role in raising awareness, gaining not only practical knowledge but also a strong sense of pride in contributing to safer streets for their families and neighbours.
A particularly special moment in the school’s work with Newton Aycliffe Police came when Sergeant Andy Boyd was presented with a handcrafted St. Mary’s badge by one of the school’s head pupils. So impressed was he with her creativity and dedication that he invited her to design official badges for the nationally recognised Knife Angel project. In total, she created more than 1,000 badges, which were distributed to visitors of the powerful anti-violence monument - a remarkable contribution for a young designer.
As part of the Knife Angel initiative, Year 5 and Year 6 pupils also took part in workshops exploring the realities and impact of knife crime. These sessions offered powerful moments of reflection and discussion, helping pupils understand the importance of empathy, personal responsibility, and making positive choices St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School and Newton Aycliffe Police continue to work together to ensure pupils understand their potential to lead change, serve others, and build stronger, safer communities.