“Don’t be mean, behind the screen” was Rich Cottell’s main message to Weald School students. Rich, a recently signed singer-songwriter who has supported acts such as The Wanted and Conor Maynard, visited The Weald School as part of his year-long online Safety and Cyber Bullying School Tour in partnership with Life Skills Education CIC.

Rich is passionate about this tour saying, “It’s about delivering a positive message and empowering kids to stay safe online.” His musical performance, along with his infectious ‘feel good’, attitude complimented the messages The Weald are already delivering to students.

Rich spoke openly about his experience of cyber bullying, explaining the significant effect it can have on individuals and the pressures young people face online, in particular the pressure to reveal too much information about themselves, or to post pictures of themselves they would not want others to see later.

Rich urged students to stay safe online and keep control by checking account settings to make everything is private; being aware of stranger danger and taking the time to think before you post.

He then went on to perform some of his material and current hits which had the students dancing in the aisle.

Year 8 student Josh said “Rich’s performance made me feel happy and excited and I learned a lot. I’m going home to check that all my accounts are private.”

Karen Furse, Assistant Headteacher at The Weald said “The internet is a big part of young people’s lives and can be a really positive tool. Messages such as the ones we received from Rich Cottell help to remind us that, in order to benefit from it, we need to constantly remember to be vigilant and safe at all times.”