Living and Learning : I can illustrate happy and healthy choices.
Our whole school homework produced some super examples, including songs, posters, games, a cow (to show a lactose intolerance) and lots of discussions. Children illustrated how they make healthy choices about food, exercise and sleep.
Here comes the summer...
There are lots happening over the summer in and around Leeds. Check out this menu of activities set up by the Child Friendly Leeds team and some dates for Breeze on tour.
Whatever you and your child gets up to this summer, have a happy and healthy one!
Staying safe over the summer
Is your child staying safe over the summer? Here are five top articles from Thinkuknow to support you at home…
1. Gaming: what parents and carers need to know
Many children will be spending time gaming online over the summer holidays. This article explores the different elements of gaming with a particular focus on how it can be used by offenders, but focusing on what parents can do to support their child while gaming.
2. Sharing pictures of your child online
Lots of parents love sharing photos of their children with friends and family, particularly when they are on holiday or starting the new school year. A recent report found that 42% of young people reported that their parents had done this without asking their permission. This article helps parents to protect their child while staying social.
3. Keeping your under 5s safe online
Whether it’s watching videos, playing games on their devices or talking to Alexa – today’s under 5s are spending more time online. In this article, the Thinkuknow team look at the benefits of children accessing the internet, and share advice about how parents can make sure their child has a safe experience online.
4. Live streaming: responding to the risks
Many children enjoy live streaming as it can be used to showcase talent, develop communication skills and create identity. This article helps parents to understand why children love it, what the risks can be, and how they can help their child stay safe if they are live streaming.
Parental controls are a great tool for helping to protect children but should not replace open and honest conversations with children about their life online. Share these tips on how to use parental controls effectively.
Is your child attending any holiday club?
With the summer holidays fast approaching, some of you may be booking your child into summer camps, activity days and child-care settings.
Last year, the government consulted on a voluntary safeguarding code for out-of-school settings. In addition to the code for providers, the DfE published draft guidance for parents, in the form of ‘Safeguarding questions for parents and carers (DfE, 2018)’.
So you can be confident about asking appropriate questions of the people you intend to leave your children with, some of the questions you could ask include:
- Have staff and volunteers undertaken DBS checks? How recent were
the checks? - Will any adults besides the instructor be present at the venue while my child is there? If so, will they be there on a regular basis?
- What training have staff had?
- May I have a copy of your child protection policy?
- Who is your designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and what training
have they had? How recent was this training? - My child has Special Educational Needs and / or a disability (SEND). What steps will you take to accommodate this?
- My child needs help with: using the toilet; changing; feeding; their medication, etc. How will these personal care needs be addressed?
- How are you securely storing the information you hold on my child? Who has access to it and are you giving it to anyone else?
- Is my child allowed to access the internet unsupervised?
- Do you have filtering and monitoring systems in place? What are they?
In addition to the questions to ask, the draft guidance for parents sets out some ‘red flags’ that might prompt you to consider looking for an alternative setting. The red flags are:
- Staff are not DBS checked
- No child protection policy
- Signs of abuse on other children who attend the setting, for example, unexplained bruises
- Provider unable to name a designated safeguarding lead
- The designated safeguarding lead has not had relevant training
- If the provision allows children access to the internet, no filtering or monitoring systems in place
- Dangerous physical environment e.g. loose wires, damp, no fire escape, no first aid kit
- No designated first aider
- No parental consent form or requirement for emergency contact details
- Other adults coming into the out-of-school setting who are not staff members / a lack of clarity on the roles of different adults in the setting
- No health and safety policy
- No fire escape plan
Scholes Open Gardens - scarecrow competition
We have been supporting the team of volunteers who orgainse Scholes in Bloom. Today is the Open Gardens event and we created some scarecrows in school around this year’s theme, ‘World of Song’. The scarecrows will be displayed again on Britain in Bloom judging day on 19 July.
Whole school sports roundabout
Our whole school sports roundabout is a chance for all children to work together, in teams, showcasing their sporting skills. The mixed aged teams encourage children to work together, supporting and encouraging each other. Thank you to all the parents and carers who came to show their support.
Super sunny sports day
The Key Stage 2 children enjoyed a fantastic competitive sports event on Friday. Thank you to all the parents and carers who came to offer their support. It is much appreciated.
Wake up - it's Wednesday!
National Online Safety believe in empowering parents, carers and trusted adults with the information they need to hold informed and age appropriate conversations about online safety with their child, should they feel it is needed. Every Wednesday they produce guides to focus on specific platforms/risks which they believe trusted adults should be aware of.
Last chance to submit your views
At Scholes (Elmet) Primary, we’re always keen to hear your views.
The annual survey is still available for you to let us know your thoughts, but goes offline on Monday 24 June so you’ve only a few days left. The survey will only take a few minutes or so.
We hope that you let us know any questions, comments and concerns (as well as causes for celebration!) whenever these crop up, but we like to gather the views more generally at the end of the year. We’re looking forward to reading your views.
Scarecrow competition - Scholes in Bloom
