This week is Anti Bullying week. The theme for this year is ‘Choose Respect’. We will be working with our children on activities linked to this theme. We work with an organisation called VotesforSchools, who provide our school and hundreds across the country with a weekly current affairs debate that our children in KS1 and 2 discuss and then vote on. This gives them a voice beyond the gates of our school. VotesforSchools are using Anti-Bullying Week to provide us with a discussion and debate around very current forms of gaming and social media that children and young people are using to anonymously bully each other. We want to ensure our staff are equipped with the latest knowledge of these apps and games, so we can have a conversation that is relevant and meaningful with our children about how to safely and appropriate engage with technology but also know the risks. VotesforSchools will also ensure our staff can also promote the benefits of apps and games and how our children can use them to report bullying and other safeguarding issues. Below are some websites that can help you as a parent/carer to support your child if they are victim of any type of bullying. NSPCC has comprehensive guidance for parents/carers on lots of topics linked to all kinds of bullying, and cyberbullying specifically. It includes tips on staying safe online, how to set up parental controls online and what to do if you are concerned about a child. ·https://www.nspcc.org.uk/ preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/ 2 Two really useful lists of popular apps to be aware of (descriptions and risks included): · https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/16-apps-and-websites-kids-are-heading-to-afterfacebook · https://sheerluxe.com/2018/04/24/10-apps-teens-are-using-parents-should-watch-out Common Sense Media promote safe technology and media for children, including film ratings, apps and books. · www.commonsensemedia.org NetAware’s guide rates popular apps for safety, age appropriateness, likelihood of bullying and many other factors. · www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/

The government has created guidance on Child Safety Online. It covers the risks they face and practical tips for minimising risk. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-safety-online-a-practical-guide-for-parents-andcarers/child-safety-online-a-practical-guide-for-parents-and-carers-whose-children-are-usingsocial-media These web links will be posted on the parent’s page under online safety on Monday for future reference. Parents also should download the Safer Schools phone app which we have linked into. This provides an up to date messaging service to keep parents informed about online safety. A version is also available to download onto your child’s phone so they can better manage their online safety. The app has been developed by the ex-CEO of CEOP, (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) a national organisation for online safety. The app can be downloaded free of charge for Blackwood parents. Details of how to do this, if you haven’t already done so, will be posted on the parents’ section, under online safety from Monday 12th November. This will give you the access code information.