In its survey of 2,000 working adults, MHFA found that 45 per cent of employees do not feel safe raising mistakes or highlighting risks to their employers.[1] It’s this lack of confidence in safety principles that spurred Barratt David Wilson Kent to work with The Safety Superhero Academy.
Founded in 2024, The Safety Superhero Academy is a social enterprise leading the development of innovative safety, health and wellbeing education for children. Through its educational programmes, resources and professional learning, the Academy helps children develop lifelong safety behaviours, creating safer communities today and contributing to safer workplaces in the future.
Sholden Church of England Primary School, near Barratt David Wilson’s Roman Walk and Spitfire Green developments, welcomed The Safety Superhero Academy, led by Chartered Safety Professional Bethany Holroyd, to deliver interactive educational sessions. The pupils explored the principles of safety through engaging activities while being introduced to role models across science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). By developing positive safety behaviours from an early age, the sessions aimed to build confidence and awareness that will benefit children throughout their lives and future careers.
Bethany Holroyd, Founder & Director at The Safety Superhero Academy, commented: “Children develop attitudes and behaviours from an incredibly early age, yet safety education has traditionally focused on rules rather than helping them understand why safety matters. Through The Safety Superhero Academy, we’re changing that by making safety, health and wellbeing meaningful, memorable and relevant for life.”
Dawn Theaker, Head Teacher at Sholden Church of England Primary School, said: “The Safety Superhero Academy delivered safety education in a way that really captured our pupils’ imagination. The storytelling and superhero themes made the learning memorable, but the messages behind the session were meaningful, practical and relevant to children’s everyday lives.”
Natalie Perry, Sales and Marketing Director at Barratt David Wilson Kent, said: “Helping to address the skills shortage in construction and STEM starts with education and inclusion. By working with social enterprises like The Safety Superhero Academy, we can empower communities to learn about safety, innovation and opportunities for young people.”
