Rather than giving warnings about certain types of people, teach them how to identify and respond to threatening situations. Children need to understand the difference between strangers who could hurt them and strangers who may help them.

Let them know who they can trust if they need help – such as a uniformed police officer or a teacher. Explain they must tell a trusted adult if they have been approached by a stranger or if they feel uncomfortable about a situation.

Help your child learn to be aware of their surroundings; encourage them to trust their instincts if they have a bad feeling about a place or person; and encourage them to be assertive.

Tips when talking to your child about staying safe not scared

Try using language like this when talking to your child about staying safe:

Staying safe – “Pay attention to what people do. Tell me right away if anyone asks you to keep a secret, makes you feel uncomfortable, or tries to get you to go with them.”

Going somewhere with someone – “It’s important for you to ask me and get my permission before going anywhere with anyone.”

If you have a problem – “Don’t approach just anyone – if you need help, look for a uniformed police officer, a store assistant with a name badge, or a parent with children.”

Avoid using language like this:
“You can tell someone is bad just by looking at them.”
“Stay away from people you don’t know.”
“Never talk to strangers.”

Safeguarding Strategic Lead: Miss Squires

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads:

DDSL: Mrs Campbell

DDSL (Pastoral): Miss Coates

DDSL (Online Safety): Mr Williams

Welfare and Wellbeing Team: Mrs Pearson and Mrs Weston

If you are concerned about any child in East Sussex, call SPOA (Single Point Of Access) during office hours on 01323 464222.

For serious out of hours concerns which cannot wait until the next day, contact the Emergency Duty Service on 01273 335905.

In an emergency or if you think a child is at risk of immediate harm, call Sussex Police on 999.

Senior Attendance Champion: Miss Squires

Executive Headteacher: Mr Goulding

We’re pleased to announce that Grovelands is introducing a new, more efficient and secure system for reporting your child’s absence due to illness, called Studybugs.

If you haven’t already, please get the free Studybugs app, or register on the Studybugs website, and use it to tell us whenever your child’s ill and unable to attend school.

Get the app or register now (https://studybugs.com/about/parents)

Top 3 reasons to use Studybugs

1. It’s integrated with our systems so we know right away if your child is unaccounted for.

2. It’s quick and easy to register and use and automatically reminds you to keep us posted.

3. You’ll be helping the NHS and other public health organisations improve children’s health. (https://studybugs.com/about/schools)

See what you can do to keep them safe on social media, in video games and on devices with age-specific advice guides below.

• Health Visiting

• Young People

• Volunteer with us

• East Sussex Local Offer

• Early Help Keywork Service

• Parent & Infant Mental Health

• Start4Life

• Parenting courses

• Groups, courses and activities for children 0 to 5 years

The service is effective, confidential and free. You can refer yourself or talk to your GP.

Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option to be connected to a 24/7 mental health crisis line. The service is also known locally as the Sussex Mental Healthline. 

A mental health crisis is when someone feels at 'breaking point'.  It can disrupt usual thought patterns, mood, daily activities and feelings. People in crisis will usually need support quickly.  

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops.

Please remember, we require at least two emergency contacts for each child.

Thank you for your support.

🛑 The speed limit for our car park area is 5mph - please respect this at all times.

🚕 The Drop Off Zone is located at the front of the school and should not be parked in, unless it is in agreement with the school i.e. pre-booked taxis.

👧👦All children should be in appropriate car seats (if required) and wearing seatbelts.

🚲 Children should wear cycle helmets if riding a bike, and should not be riding their bikes to school without adult supervision unless they have completed their Bikeability training.

📱 Please refrain from using your mobile phone whilst driving and give the car park your full care and attention.

🛣️ Please take care and be vigilant in the local area, particularly Grovelands Road and Dunbar Drive. These roads are very busy in peak times, and there are lots of children who use these routes.

Thank you for your support in this very important matter.

There are some recent television programmes that put a spotlight on children and young people navigating the digital world:

'Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones' - Channel 4

This thought-provoking documentary explores the challenges and benefits of reducing screen time and provides a valuable perspective on the role technology plays in children's lives. It provides a great opportunity for us all to reflect on how we can support our students in achieving a healthy balance between technology and real-world interactions.

'Adolescence' - Netflix

The series tells the story of a 13-year-old boy who becomes involved in a tragic incident after being influenced by harmful digital content, highlighting how young people can be drawn into dangerous online spaces. Due to the popularity of this series, it has brought attention to this subject and it serves as a reminder of the importance of adults being proactive in guiding children through the digital world.

Please remember to use our designated safeguarding email address if you have any concerns about a child:

safeguarding@grovelands.e-sussex.sch.uk

https://www.operationencompass.org

Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes.

The Prevent Strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including the extreme far-right wing and extreme Islamist groups.

How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools and parents?

From July 2015, all schools have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism.

This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremism and violent views the same way we protect them from drugs or gang violence.

The Prevent Strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself, which may not be appropriate for younger children. It is about teaching children the British Values such as Rule of Law, Democracy, Individual Liberty , Tolerance and Mutual Respect.

What can I do as a parent/carer to help my child?

• You know your child better than anybody else. Having open and honest conversations on a regular basis will allow your child to explore new ideas in a safe environment.

• Talk to your child about their online viewing. Social media, such as YouTube and TikTok, can be used to groom children towards a certain point of view. Discuss different points of view concerning topics in the news, modelling that there is always more than one point of view.

• Encourage your child to take an active part in their local community. This could be part of a sports club, social group or through volunteering. Getting out, meeting and talking to people around you helps to understand diversity and become part of a community.

Educate Against Hate:

https://www.educateagainsthate.com/parents/

1. Be curious and ask open questions: "I saw xxxxx on the news last night, have you heard of this?" Keep the conversation light with no pressure. 

   
   

2. Create a non-judgemental space: if your child feels like they’ll be punished for opening up, they may not. Make it clear you’re there to listen and to try and help. 

   
   

3. Decode together: ask your child to explain their digital world. Who are the influencers that they follow? Why do they like those particular ones? 

   
   

4. Teach critical thinking - help your child question online content. “Why do you think they are saying this? How do we know if it's true or not?”

   
   

5. Regular monitoring –  make checking in on your child's online spaces a normal part of your routine, not only at a potential time of crisis.

   
   

6. Be honest about manipulation  – explain how toxic online groups groom young people by making them feel special, included, or like they have ‘insider knowledge.’

   
   

7. Build your child's offline confidence and self-esteem - the more they feel valued and confident in the real world, the less they may seek validation in dangerous online spaces.

Call 0300 123 1663 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 – 16:00)

Email: kcht.dentalhelpdesk@nhs.net

The East Sussex Family Advice Line is a free, confidential service available to all parents, carers, and professionals across the county. Whether you need help navigating parenting challenges, managing household budgets, securing housing support, or accessing services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), their friendly team is here to help.

You can easily reach them by calling 01323 464655 or by emailing familyhubs@eastsussex.gov.uk. The lines are open Monday to Thursday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and Fridays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

For more information on local support, you can also visit the official East Sussex Family Hubs website.