Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope this message finds you well. We have had a good week at Dr Thomlinson CofE Middle School.
THE BIG ASK – Nationwide Children’s Survey
I enclose details of a national survey for children led by the Children’s Commissioner for England. The survey, which runs until 19 May, aims to gather children’s views and experiences on important issues and will be used to inform recommendations to Government and proposals to policy changes which affect them and their futures. Please spend 5 – 10 minutes with your child this weekend to complete the survey.
“Hi, my name is Rachel de Souza and I’m the Children’s Commissioner for England. My job is to speak up for children in England, stand up for their rights, and make sure that the people in power listen to what children need and want”
Internet Watch Foundation Campaign backed by the Home Office
Please be aware of an important campaign led by the Internet Watch Foundation and supported by the UK Home Office. Internet Watch Foundation data shows 11-13 year old girls are increasingly at risk of grooming and coercion at the hands of online predators.
In 2020, IWF confirmed 68,000 cases of self-generated imagery, a rise of 77% on 2019 and self-generated imagery accounts for nearly half (44%) the imagery the foundation took action on last year. In 80% of these cases, the victims were 11- to 13-year-old girls.
Any child, no matter what their background, with unrestricted access to internet-connected devices, is at risk.
The hard-hitting campaign, backed by the UK Home Office and Microsoft, aims to empower girls, and warn their parents and carers about the risks posed by online predators targeting children. Its aim is to build resilience to the threat of self-generated sexual abuse of children, thereby reducing the number of incidences.
The purpose of the campaign is for girls to have an increased awareness of how to respond safely to requests online for self-generated child sexual abuse material; and for parents/carers to have an increased awareness of self-generated child sexual abuse online and feel motivated and equipped to protect their children.
TOP Award Winners – Week beginning April 19th, 2021
5T – Lucy
5H – Toby / Ryan
6O – Megan
6M – Fran
7I – Hannah
7L – Emma
8N – Julia
8S – Mia
Well done to all of these award winners!
Take care,
Liam Murtagh – Headteacher
