At ϳԹվ we are always concerned about the health and well-being of our pupils. We know school life can be difficult and we are always standing by to help with any troubles that are stopping you from enjoying your time at Southmoor. If you have any worries and need to talk at anytime (even during the holidays) then we’re here to help you.
For more helpful advice and guidance, please select from the sections below.
Safeguarding at ϳԹվ
Safeguarding at ϳԹվ
At ϳԹվ we have a strong culture of ‘safeguarding’ that runs throughout every level of our staff.Safeguardingis the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.Safeguardingmeans: protecting children from abuse and maltreatment, preventing harm to children’s health or development and ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care.
The school is committed to ensuring that children are safe whilst with us. This means that not only have we made every attempt to make our site secure but take a firm line on bullying: our implementation of policies in both areas has been inspected and praised by the Local Authority.
All of our staff receive regular safeguarding training and we have dedicated safeguarding specialists who are there to support pupils should they need it. We make stringent safeguarding checks upon the suitability of all applicants when recruiting.
Within the PSHE programme, there are modules on keeping safe and we focus upon teaching students e-safety.
If you have any concerns, or are worried about anyone you know then please speak with one of our especially trained members of staff below.
Your school leads for student safeguarding areMrs Thompson, Ms Murley,Mrs Riddle and Mrs Harris.
Mrs Zakaidze isthe designated safeguarding leads for our Sixth Form.
Report a Concern
Report a Concern
If you have a problem that you’d like to report that you feel is effecting your safety or welfare, you can now report it via the Tootoot app. Click the banner above and follow the instructions to help us address your concerns.
General Advice
General Advice
Streetwise
Provides information, advice and counselling for young people aged 11-25 years around issues such as housing, smoking cessation, contraception, sexual health, substance use, relationships and sexuality.
35-37 Groat Market, Newcastle upon Tyne
Tel: 0191 2305 400
Childline
This is a free 24 hour helpline for young people in distress or danger. Their website also has a lot of information, support and the chance to ask any questions you may have.
Tel: 0800 1111
The Samaitans
A free source of help for anyone who wants to talk to someone anonymously for support.
3 Grange Crescent, Stockton Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear SR2 7BN
Tel: 08457 90 90 90
Health & Wellbeing Advice
Health & Wellbeing Advice
For more guidance for mental health and wellbeing, please see our dedicated page by clicking here.
Kooth
Kooth is an excellent place to seek advice and support with regards to mental wellbeing, especially in young people. They even have a useful app that you can download to your photo. You will find instructions on this below.
Young Minds
This website has a lot of information about mental health issues including living with adults who have a mental health condition.
NHS 111
111 is the NHS non-emergency number. It’s fast, easy and free. Call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals. They will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and immediately direct you to the best medical care for you.
Tel: 111
Drink Aware
The Drinkaware Trust is an independent UK-wide alcohol education charity, funded largely by voluntary and unrestricted donations from UK alcohol producers, retailers and supermarkets. The Trust is governed independentlyand works in partnership with othersto help reduce alcohol-related harm by helping people make better choices about their drinking.
Wasp
Wasp is a support project ran by Sunderland MIND every week that looks into raising awareness of emotional wellbeing as well as offering a safe space to talk about mental health issue. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Bullying Advice
Bullying Advice
We encourage you to tell someone with any problems you might be having with bullies. School staff are always ready to hear your problems and help. You can download a school leaflet with information all about what todo about bullying here.
BullyingUK
Help and advice about bullying, remember if you feel you are being bullied than you should always tell someone. This website is an excellent first step to dealing with the problem.
Tel: 0808 800 2222
Cyber Bullying
Bullying isn’t something that just happens in the real world. More and more teenagers are being bullied online through social networking sites. If you are getting threatening messages online, there are a number of ways to get them stopped.
E Safety Advice
E Safety Advice
The internet and social media sites can be very useful tools for communicating with others we may not see very often or research on topics for school or social purposes. However it is also a tool that can be misused in a number ways and it is important we protect ourselves from any dangers whilst using internet sites.
- NEVER post your address or phone numbers online.
- NEVER meet someone who you have only ever spoken to online.
- NEVER share details of your school.
- NEVER post pictures of you in your school uniform.
- Use only age-appropriate sites.
- If you see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried: leave the website, and tell a trusted adult immediately.
- Keep your usernames and passwords safe at all times.
- Think about what you post and how it could be misinterpreted.
- Think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself. Once you’ve put a picture of yourself online people can see it and download it, it’s not just yours anymore.
- NEVER post or send provocative pictures of yourself or others.
- Respect other people’s views, even if you don’t agree with someone else’s views doesn’t mean you need to be rude.
- ALWAYS make sure you have closed profiles and only add people you know.
- Remember whatever you post will stay on the web forever!
- Be aware that people online are not always who they say they are. If you are unsure tell someone!
Advice for staying safe on your mobile
You also need to be careful and considerate when using your mobile devices. Below are some tips for being safe on your phone. Remember mobile devices will be confiscated for the week if staff see them being used in school.
- NEVER reply to any nasty messages you receive – tell an adult about them instead.
- NEVER reply to a text from someone you don’t know.
- Keep the messages you have been sent so you can show them to a trusted adult and make a note of the time and date of the messages or calls you receive.
- NEVER answer calls from withheld numbers or numbers you don’t recognise, let it go to voicemail.
- NEVER give your mobile number to someone you don’t know.
- NEVER send pictures to someone you don’t know and be very careful about sending pictures to anyone on your phone.
Advice for if you are being bullied online
If you feel you are being bullied online it is important that you let a trusted adult know about it. Cyber bullying is still bullying and has the same affect as normal bullying. Here are some tips to help you should you feel like you are being cyber bullied.
- Tell an adult you trust if you are being cyber bullied.
- NEVER respond or retaliate to bullying messages – it could make things worse.
- ALWAYS Block users who send you nasty messages.
- Save abusive emails or messages (or texts) you receive and show an adult.
- NEVER pass on any cyber bullying videos or messages – this is also cyber bullying.
Thinkuknow
A dedicated site set-up by the national crime agency full of young people’s advice for staying safe online.
Best VPN
A fantastic page with a lot of advice for keeping children safe online.
