During the Spring Term, 2024, Carcroft Change Makers worked collaboratively to develop the ‘Carcroft Pledge’. We can’t wait to share this with whole school during our Summer Term!
Category : Curriculum
Online Safety
Our pupils are growing up in a world of ever-changing technology. While we feel that the use of technology is a largely positive aspect of modern life, we cannot ignore the risks that can be associated.
Throughout school we aim to teach children:
- about the impact of cyber-bullying and what to do if they have been affected.
- to be vigilant when communicating online recognising that people may not always be who they say they are and to be sensible about what they share.
- to tell an adult they trust if something is upsetting them.
- to question the reliability of information given through a web based source.
- to search responsibly for information while using internet browsers.
We understand that much of our pupil’s use of the internet will occur at home, away from the school filters.
Below are a list of useful websites, advice and resources that you may find helpful when navigating the issue of online safety with your child. At the bottom of this page are resources that your child can directly access as well to help them learn about online safety.
Useful resources and links
Thinkuknow http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Thinkuknow is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command. Since 2006, it aims to ensure that everyone has access to this practical information – children, young people, their parents and carers and the professionals who work with them.
Internet Matters https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/esafety-leaflets-resources/
A comprehensive web resource with a wide array of tips and advice on how to navigate the online world with your child. Some of their guidance we attach below but you can find even more by visiting the link.
National Online Safety https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/
National Online Safety’s mission is to make the internet a safer place for children. They aim to do this by equipping school staff, parents and children with the knowledge they need to understand online dangers and how best to react should an incident arise. The link above provides up to date information about a wide variety of social media apps and platforms your child might be using.
NSPCC http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/share-aware/
The NSPCC are the first to admit that the internet is amazing. Children can play, learn, create and connect – opening up a whole world of exciting possibilities. But with the digital world changing all the time, how can you make sure your child’s staying safe? That’s where the NSPCC come in. Whether you’re an online expert or you’re not sure where to start, their tools and advice will help you keep your child safe.
Childnet http://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers
Childnet International is a registered UK charity that aims to make the internet a safe place for children and young people. Packed with resources it is a great resource for parents.
CEOP http://ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) is part of the National Crime Agency and their website can be used to report if you are worried about online abuse or the way someone is communicating online.
BBC https://www.bbc.com/ownit
The BBC have a website and app called Own It. The website has a lot of content for children to help them navigate their online lives, and the free smartphone app comes with a special keyboard which can intervene with help and support in the moments that children need it the most.
SafetoNet https://safetonet.com/
SafeToNet is technology that educates children “in-the-moment” as they use their device. It is a safeguarding assistant that helps them become responsible and safe digital citizens. Its power lies in a smart keyboard that detects risks in real-time. It steers children away from trouble by filtering harmful outgoing messages before they can be sent and any damage can be done.
A guide to Apps & Social Media
The number of apps and social media channels your child could be exposed to grow all the time, as does an app’s functionality. We recommend you visit Net Aware to read the latest and most current advice on over 70 apps to ensure you know what they do, how you can limit their features as well as recommended age restrictions.
The apps included are:
- Fortnite
- Snapchat
- YouTube
- Minecraft
- Clash of Clans & Clash Royale
- Kik
- Friv
- Dubsmash
- Wink
- YOLO
- TikTok
- And many, many more
Resources for children to use
Below are some links that children themselves can access for help when navigating the tricky subject of online safety,
Reception – Year 2
Below are a number of links that are tailored for children in the younger year groups.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/5_7/
https://www.netsmartzkids.org/
https://www.childnet.com/resources/smartie-the-penguin
Year 3 – Year 6
Below are links more suitable for older children.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/8_10/
https://www.nsteens.org/
Drawing The Gruffalo ✍🏼👹
We have been looking at the story ‘The Gruffalo’ in our writing sessions this week. We have talked about the features he has and how we can show them using different shapes and colours. We then used a step-by-step guide to help us. Once we were finished, we then told Miss McGlone everything we had included in our drawings to create The Gruffalo.











PE
We have been working with the PE coaches on our football skills. We have listened carefully to their instructions and we have started to recall information from one week to the next so that we can build on and improve our skills weekly.





Drawing Everywhere Bear ✍🏼🧸
We have been looking at the story ‘The Everywhere Bear’ during our writing lessons, and it has inspired us to draw our own bears. We followed a step-by-step guide to help us use the correct shapes, and when we were done we told Miss McGlone all about the features of our bear, which she then added on as labels.





Tracing our names with a starting dot ✍🏼
We have been putting our pre-writing skills to the test as we have been tracing our names, using a starting dot on each letter to help us with the correct letter formation.
Crew McGlone are FANTASTIC at remembering all the correct steps to show that they are ready to write: BBC, TNT, 6 feet, 2 hands. They have really blown me away with how well they are working on their ‘pinch parrot’ to perfect their pencil grip! The children have also been learning about the specific handwriting lines: top broken, top solid, bottom solid, bottom broken, as well as looking at how we start writing at the top of the page and we write from left to right. Lots of things to remember, but using our writing wall to look at the Widgits of each skill really helps us!















Helping Everyone to Learn in Crew White
In Crew White, we know that children don’t all learn in exactly the same way. Throughout our classroom, we have lots of simple tools and routines that children can use to help them become more confident and independent learners.
Children can use help cards when they need adult support and brain-break cards when they need a short reset. Personal journals give children a space to organise their thoughts, while movement and fidget resources are available when to help with concentration.
We use visual timetables and timers to make the day and learning clear and predictable. Instructions are broken into manageable steps where needed, and we make sure children have enough thinking and processing time before being expected to respond.
We also regularly revisit previous learning, helping children remember what they have learned and make connections between different lessons. In Maths, helpsheets with key concepts are in their books for them to refer to throughout lessons and there are a number of maths games that we have played which children are encouraged to go back to when they have finished their learning.
Classroom resources are clearly labelled to support with independence and children are encouraged to use the zones of regulation check-in at least every morning and afternoon to support them to notice how they are feeling and why.
An important part of Year 6 is learning what helps you to learn. We want children to become increasingly confident at recognising what they need, choosing the right support and getting themselves ready to learn.
You’ll see some examples in the photos of the different strategies and resources we use every day in Crew White.









Dodgeball Champions of Character!
Today, we put our sportsmanship and resilience to the test during an exciting game of dodgeball!
We worked together as a crew, encouraged one another and showed great respect for our opponents. We learned that winning isn’t everything, it’s about giving our best, bouncing back when things don’t go our way and continuing to support our crewmates.
There were plenty of challenges along the way, but we showed resilience, determination and a fantastic Crew spirit. We were proud to see everyone demonstrating what it means to be a great sport!

Strong Foundations In Crew Ramsay
We have been focussing on our basics this week including letter formation, number formation and fine motor strength/dexterity. Here we are moving through table top provisions in both writing and maths lessons. On these tables we love practising the basics and taking pride in our work. What a great start to the year.
















Handwriting
Crew Haddock is focusing hard on handwriting to master correct letter formation







Expedition – Beginning to make our Mars Rovers




Today, we were given a set of materials needed to create our Mars Rovers. We used the materials to practice building what they may look like… 🪐
Boggledybook fair visits Carcroft📚















