News
NSPCC - Speak Out, Stay Safe workshops
Posted On: 16 February 2017
Keeping Children Safe
High on the learning agenda during the past few weeks have been important messages for the children about keeping themselves safe. Teachers continually reinforce the importance of on-line safety during their regular computing sessions, but these messages were expanded upon on 24th January when a theatre company performed, ‘Level-Up’. In addition, the children have listened – during Key Stage assemblies – to important messages from the NSPCC about how to keep themselves safe from different kinds of abuse. Children in Years 5 and 6 explored these themes in greater depth during follow-up workshops that we hope will empower them to, ‘Speak Out and Stay Safe’. Specially trained staff gave our children information about how to keep themselves safe from harm and how to get help if they have any worries; sensitively discussing issues like bullying and sexual abuse without using scary words or adult language.
If you would like any more information about the NSPCC Speak Out, Stay Safe programme, including frequently asked questions, you can find it on the NSPCC website nspcc.org.uk/schools or please come to speak to Mrs Ward and she can provide more information.
Talking about the Underwear Rule with your children
The NSPCC’s work in schools will help encourage conversations about staying safe. The charity has a number of child friendly materials to support parents in continuing conversations after their input, if you choose to do so. This includes ‘The Underwear Rule’; a simple way for parents to help keep children safe from sexual abuse without using scary words or mentioning sex. The guide uses the rule of PANTS to teach children that their body belongs to them and them alone. You can find out more and download the free resources at nspcc.org.uk/pants. If you would like to know more about the NSPCC’s work or view the wide range of information and advice is available to parents and carers, please visit their website nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping children-safe/
On 7th February, Internet Safety Day, the children developed their understanding about how to ensure their personal safety when working or playing on the Internet, through a range of curriculum activities and assemblies. Thank you to those few parents who took time out of their very busy schedules to join us for coffee and an internet safety update, we hope you found the information useful.
Please be advised that a couple of children have had ‘near accidents’ as a result of playing in the turning circle just outside school, which is actually a road and should be treated as such. We urge parents not to allow their children to play in the road as this gives them mixed messages about road safety and could reduce their vehicular awareness, making them vulnerable on and around roads in general.
