Kidsafe & SERIS

Click here to download a copy of Vickerstown's Safeguarding Leaftlet 

KidSafe

Vickerstown Primary School is committed to safeguarding and child protection. This is why we are a registered KidSafe UK school.

KidSafe is a specialised, age appropriate child protection/safeguarding programme, delivered directly to children without shattering their innocence. We deliver the programme to all pupils from Foundation Stage through to Year 6.

The programme is uniquely designed to help children take an active role in protecting and keeping themselves safe. With the help of a monkey puppet, named KS, the lessons delivered are fun and interactive. The term ‘Yukky feelings’ is used to help children understand that if they are feeling sad, scared or worried about something they can talk to a trusted adult, who can help them with those feelings.

Topics covered within the programme include: understanding feelings, trust and trusted grown-ups, saying ’No’, computer/internet safety and making good choices around use of age appropriate on-line games and films, bullying, including cyber bullying, abuse and secrets in relation to abuse; including safe personal space and domestic violence, as well as the importance of looking after our mental health and emotional well-being.

The work of KidSafe UK charity and how it supports our children in school is invaluable. They provide comprehensive training to school and all resources provided ensure effective delivery of the programme to our pupils by the staff.

For more information please visit:

www.kidsafeuk.co.uk

 

SERIS (Supporting Emotional Resilience in School)

At Vickerstown Primary School the children’s social and emotional development determines their attainment at school and beyond. Their well-being and life chances depend on their self-esteem, self-awareness, how positively they think, and how well they use their internal resources. We are committed to involve, motivate and inspire all of our children, in order to encourage them to think positively, believe in themselves, and be confident and assertive.

We pride ourselves in our inclusive approach to education. Our vision and values are clearly communicated to all members of the school and this is evident in the ways that our children interact with each other and with staff.

Vickerstown Primary School has happy and settled school environment in which children can learn and have fun. We have a child-centred philosophy in that each child is treated as an individual.

As part of our school’s commitment to support all children’s physical and emotional well-being as well as their academic learning, throughout the year pupils have the opportunity to join in SERIS, which takes place in the form of small group work.

This work incorporates a number of areas including:

  • Learning and developing skills to help children to begin to show understanding of simple citizenship concepts, for example right and wrong, fairness and rules and understanding of values: e.g., honesty, tolerance, respect and concern for others.
  • Listening to and accepting the views of others, understanding empathy.
  • Helping to increase children’s confidence and self-esteem.
  • Having the opportunity to share their feelings, thoughts and opinions honestly within a safe environment, knowing that it’s okay to share and talk about how they are feeling.
  • Enhancing aspects of class and whole school citizenship activities, demonstrating to children that we can play and work together co-operatively.
  • Learning to take and share responsibility for their own actions by encouraging children to ask for help when they need it, talk to trusted adults and make appropriate and good choices.

All of these opportunities help the children to understand the importance of keeping their mental health and emotional well-being as healthy as possible.

 

COUNSELLING (Talk-Time)
 

All parents/Guardians/Carers have the responsibility of helping their children to grow and develop and supporting them with their problems and worries. Sometimes however, no matter how well children and young people get on with their parents, they may find it difficult to talk to them. Children often get help and support by talking to someone they can trust. Maybe a friend, a teacher, or relative or a neighbour who can help. Often having a problem or concern can affect child's behaviour and school work, and the school Counsellor may be able to help.

There can be lots of pressures on children and young people growing up, for example friendships and peer relationship difficulties, teasing and bullying; exams and school work; family relationships, separations and changes; as well as illness, loss or death of someone close. Young people also have to cope with adolescence and the strong feelings and physical changes that go with it.

These issues all impact in one way or another on children’s emotional well-being and can cause them to feel worried, confused, sad or angry, making them vulnerable and upset at times. These feelings can sometimes be released in children’s behaviour becoming withdrawn or acting out, feeling sick and anxious, lack of focus and concentration which can affect their confidence and self-esteem. Even quite young children can find that the time and space they get from counselling helps them feel better, and cope better at home and in school.

At Vickerstown Primary School we employ a full time Counsellor to help support pupils when they are experiencing any difficulties, pressure or stressful issues in their lives. The Counsellor is fully qualified and follows the Code of Ethics and Policy Procedures of the Professional Framework of the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) and also Vickerstown Primary School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Procedures.

We call the counselling service offered ‘Talk-Time’. Support is given to parents and carers through initial meetings to discuss areas of concern and an appropriate agreement made to allow their child to have access to the Counsellor for individual Talk-Time sessions. This allows children opportunity to share issues that are troubling or concerning them within a safe, confidential and child centred approach and to look at ways to develop strategies for them to cope with a particular experience, relationship or presenting issue. The children can then access other areas of school life and their learning more readily and in turn feel more settled at home and with their peers. Confidence, self-esteem and self-worth increases for the children, as they know that they can talk about their thoughts and feelings freely and without judgement.

The Counsellor is also available to support parents/carers and staff in school by listening to them, offering suggestions or coping strategies, useful resources and sometimes if appropriate making links with external charities or agencies to best support the individual needs of the child/family when necessary.

 

EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH WELL-BEING

The most important people at Vickerstown Primary School are the children and we recognise and value the partnership we have between school and home. We see education as an ongoing process and we feel proud to be able to support parents in their children’s development.

Our children’s social and emotional development determines their attainment at primary school and beyond. Their well-being and life chances depend on their self-esteem, self-awareness, how positively they think, and how well they use their internal resources.This is why the school ethos is a commitment to involve, motivate and inspire all of our children. Vickerstown pupils think positively, believe in themselves, and are confident and assertive.

We pride ourselves in our inclusive approach to education and welcome all children into our school community. Our vision and values are clearly communicated to all members of the school and this is evident in the ways that our children interact with each other and with staff. Vickerstown Primary School has happy and settled school environment in which children can learn and have fun. We have a child-centred philosophy in that each child is treated as an individual. Children are organised to work in small groups, individually or as members of the whole class depending on the activity.

 

'LIVING, LEARNING & PLAYING TOGETHER'

Our Vision

We aim to provide an outstanding education in the heart of the community and as such we make every effort that the children at Vickerstown have the best academic start and grounding possible to enable them to become successful members of society.