Priestlands School

Parent Resources

Safeguarding Concerns

During term-time, if anything happens that you as a parent feel uncomfortable about, please phone the school on 01590 677033 and ask to speak to someone on a Child Protection matter. Alternatively please email childprotection@priestlands.hants.sch.uk however, please note this email address is not monitored during school holiday periods.

At Priestlands, Hayley Yates, Assistant Headteacher, is the Designated Safeguarding Lead [DSL] and Robert Kelly, Deputy Headteacher, is the Deputy DSL.

If ever you have a concern about a member of staff working with children (in either a paid or voluntary capacity) you can report it to the Local Area Designated Officer (LADO) on 01962 876364

The Hampshire Children’s Services number for members of the public to use if they are concerned about the welfare/safety of a child is: 0300 555 1384

In an emergency, if you believe someone is in danger or at immediate risk of harm, phone the Police on 999 [101 in non-emergencies].

Adults who would like more information or support around safeguarding issues for children and young people up to the age of 18 can visit the Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership website.

GCSEs and Emotional Health

Exams are important, but so is your mental health. These guides may help you maintain the right balance:

Looking after yourself during GCSEs: Student Guide

Emotionally healthy approach to GCSEs: Parents

Disappointing exam results

Managing exam stress

Education Endowment Foundation have also released a podcast on supporting pupils during exams

Online Safety

Sexting - a guide to help you understand what sexting is.

We also have a wealth of information on our Online Safety page.

Mental Health

Click here for Mental Health resources

Worried about weapons, County Lines or gangs?

Follow this link for advice and support from St Giles Trust:

https://www.stgilestrust.org.uk/help-with-county-lines-gangs-and-similar-issues/help-for-young-people

Keeping children safe from extremism and radicalisation

Keeping children safe from extremism and radicalisation

At Priestlands we understand our duty under Section 26 of the Counter Terrorism Act to have ‘due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.’

Our focus is on enabling students to build resilience through:

Creating a safe space [for example in tutor time, PSHCE, Ethics and Life Skills] to discuss and understand sensitive and controversial topics.

Equipping students to think critically, make reasoned arguments and challenge things that concern them.

Encouraging students to develop skills to understand and manage difficult situations, and self-confidence to resist negative influences.

Enabling students to develop the ability to recognise and manage risks, and make safe choices.

Encouraging students to develop a sense of community, responsibility and belonging through engagement in school democracy and leadership opportunities, and contributing to Year Group, House and school activities including music, art, drama and sport.

Parents/Carers

It is understandable and expected that parents will want to know what they can do to keep their children safe from exploitation by those who wish to radicalise them.

There are a number of websites which provide such advice to parents. The most prominent include:

NSPCC: Protecting Children from Radicalisation

Educate Against Hate

Let’s Talk About It: Advice to parents about online Radicalisation

These excellent websites include advice for parents and carers on topics such as how to talk about extremism with children.

If parents are concerned that a child is being influenced by extremist views please speak to someone in school.

Meanwhile the general advice for parents and carers includes:

Talk to children about what they do and who they befriend online, whilst respecting their boundaries.

Think about installing parental controls on devices.

Raise the issue of inappropriate content online. Have they seen any and would they know what to do if they have?

Don’t be afraid to talk about extremism and what it means. Be honest about your own views and allow them time to ask you questions.

Don’t avoid talking about extremism just because the topic is worrying, embarrassing or difficult. It is possible children will look for answers elsewhere, such as online, if they do not receive them from you.

Food Bank and Support with Energy Bills

New Forest Basics Bank – Providing emergency food for those in need – by referral & will deliver to houses. 75% of people have deliveries

The Food Rescue Kitchen – New Forest Basics Bank – no referral needed & free

Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills - Citizens Advice – CAB can support families with energy bills up to £140 / month. There is a new office opening in New Milton at the end of the month

Help and support available to New Forest residents

Health, Help and Support Information

Priestlands School is an Operation Encompass school.

Operation Encompass is a police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people who experience Domestic Abuse. This means that we work in partnership with Hampshire and IOW Police and when they are called to an incident of domestic abuse where a child lives in the house, we will receive the alert (even if the child was not present at the time). We use this information to support the child and their PSM or Head of Year will check in with them and offer support if needed.

If you need help or advice about Domestic Violence, please click on the link below.

Support organisations for victims of domestic violence | Hampshire Constabulary

Other Useful Resources