Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
We have had some wonderful news this summer here at Manorfield and have been awarded a Platinum Artsmark from the Arts Council UK. This award is achieved by very few schools in the country and we are extremely proud to say we are a Platinum Art school! This tells people that the arts are prioritised and valued at Manorfield and the quality of creative opportunities are the very highest possible. It tells people that we are at the very forefront of education by holding the arts at the core and influencing change in the community.
We are so very, very proud of this.
"Your school’s commitment to placing the Arts at the core of learning is abundantly evident in your very impressive account of your pedagogy..."
"It is not surprising that your OFSTED inspection recognised the high standard of your enriched curriculum."
"Manorfield are very well placed to become an opinion former and to make a real difference in the wider educational community through their advocacy and expertise."
Arts Council, 3.9.19
Please see the letter from Ofsted following the recent visit:
https://www.manorfield.surrey.sch.uk/ofsted-and-performance-data/
Dear Parents/Carers,
I am writing to inform you that we have become aware that some children within year 6 have been using chat rooms unsupervised whilst at home. On many of these websites, children are able to talk and video chat to strangers.
We are aware that ‘YouTubers’ and ‘Influencers’ have been promoting a website called omegle.com, however there may be others.
Within school as part of our E-Safety curriculum, we teach the children skills that will help them to stay safe online. We believe that it is vital for all children to follow the Manorfield Internet Code:
The Manorfield Internet Code
We would recommend that you keep talking to your children about what they are doing and who they are communicating with online; please stay vigilant!
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to speak to me; please visit our E-Safety section on our school website.
https://www.manorfield.surrey.sch.uk/e-safety/
Yours sincerely,
James Butcher
Assistant Headteacher
The Momo Challenge is the latest in a series of chain-letter viral stories. It’s arresting because of the disturbing image that represents the Momo character.
It sounds alarming, particularly as children are attracted to the idea, but in reality, the occurrences seem few and far between. Still, the image and the ghoulish story that accompanies it may well distress children and parents should be aware of its existence. Children may encounter the story in the playground, but also in YouTube videos and user-created content in video games like Minecraft and Roblox.
It has been in the news over the last couple of days that the more hype we are giving the story, the more it is fuelling the craze. Police have suggested that rather than focusing on the specific momo meme, parents could use the opportunity to educate children about internet safety, as well as having an open conversation about what children are accessing.
Our recommended advice as always, is to supervise the games your children play and be extremely mindful of the videos they are watching on YouTube. Ensure that the devices they have access to are restricted to age suitable content.
In Minecraft, you would only see the Momo Challenge Character if your child is using custom games, which are not available on the console version of the game. In Roblox, selecting the Restricted setting for your child’s accounts ensures they can only access games that have been checked for appropriateness.
On YouTube, select restricted mode so that children cannot access content flagged by the YouTube community as potentially sensitive.
The recommended advice from the NSPCC is to:
Take an interest in your child’s online activity |
Do you take an interest in your child’s online activity? Taking an interest helps you to understand the websites, apps and games children are using and to make sure they are appropriate. |
Talk as a TEAM |
Can you work with your child as a TEAM? Talk – chat to your child about what they’re doing online. Explore - and understand the websites, apps and games. Agree – Devise and create family ground rules. Manage – Adapt privacy settings and use adult controls. |
Build children’s trust |
Can you have regular open and honest conversations with your child? If things go wrong or mistakes happen, how will you support/reassure your child? |
Use the technical tools |
Do you use all parental controls available to you? Have you supported your child with their privacy settings? Have you thought about how spend-limits and time-settings can be used to control your child’s online experience? |
If adults are concerned or have any questions on how to approach the subject with their children they can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or visit the NSPCC website. Alternatively please visit the e-safety section of the Manorfield Primary School website or come in and speak to an adult in school.
We do not feel that drawing specific attention to this will be helpful, however we will continue to help your children learn safe online behaviours and will be readdressing in our ongoing PHSE programme, the principal of telling an adult if they are worried about anything seen online.
Thank you for helping us to keep your children safe when navigating the online world.
As you know, the NSPCC visited our school yesterday and delivered their Speak out. Stay safe. assembly to share information with your child about how they can keep themselves safe from harm and get help if they have any worries.
It was a very worthwhile and empowering session for both pupils and teachers. They spoke to the children and staff about the valuable work they do across the country, and talked about how important it is for everyone in our school community to join them in their ‘fight for every childhood’.
Talking PANTS with your children
The NSPCC’s work in schools will help encourage conversations about staying safe – and they have a number of child-friendly materials to help you carry on the conversation afterwards. That includes ‘Talk PANTS’, a simple way for parents to help keep children safe from sexual abuse – without using scary words or even mentioning sex.
The guide uses the rules of PANTS to teach children that their body belongs to them and them alone. You can find out more and download the free resources at nspcc.org.uk/pants