Parent Information

Thomas Middlecott Academy works with you.

By building strong partnerships with parents and carers we can work together and ensure young people succeed.

Parents and carers rightly have high expectations of their child’s school, but equally important is their role in ensuring that their child succeeds in their education.

Parents and carers can expect the academy to:

Provide an effective learning environment for all students
Give structured pastoral support to students throughout their time at the academy
Enable students to broaden their horizons through the provision of excellent opportunities

The academy can expect parents and carers to ensure that their child:

Has an excellent record in terms of attendance and punctuality
Arrived at the academy each day ready to learn with all the necessary equipment
Completes all homework to the best of their ability
Participates in a wide range of exciting enrichment opportunities
Has a learning environment at home that encourages enquiry and discovery
Promotes the academy’s values, such as caring for each other and wearing their uniform correctly.

Safeguarding

Thomas Middlecott Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. Providing a safe environment for all our students, staff and visitors is at the upmost importance to us.

Our Safeguarding Team

Mr M Pinder

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mr M Pinder

MPinder@ThomasMiddlecott.co.uk
Mrs N Dunbar

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mrs N Dunbar

NDunbar@ThomasMiddlecott.co.uk

Safeguarding Information

Designated Safeguarding Leads are Mark Pinder and Nichola Dunbar. Please see Nichola Dunbar in the first instance.

You must have your visitor pass on you at all times so that all staff and students can recognise you as a visitor. You must make sure that you sign in at the main reception in order to have access to the school and be issued with a visitor badge. Anyone without proof of a valid DBS will be given a red lanyard and will need to be accompanied at all times whilst on school site. Please familiarise yourself with the KCSIE, paper copy in reception) before entering the building.

For any first aid requirements, please make sure to speak to a member of staff on site. Our First Aid Lead is Nikki Blanchard and she manages all Health Care Plans.

If you are on the premises and the fire alarm sounds, you must exit the building via your nearest fire exit and make your way to the fire assembly point marked visitors on the school field where you will receive further instructions.

Toilets are located by the office, down the main corridor.

Taking photographs during your visit to the academy is not permitted. Should you wish to take photographs express permission must be obtained from the Principal of the setting.

Local Safeguarding Authority

https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/lscb/the-lscb/reporting-concerns/124627

Lincolnshire Children’s Social Care
Referrals to children care 01522 782111

Safeguarding Alert: ‘The Blue Whale Challenge’ and Netflix Production ’13 Reasons Why’

I write to you to draw your attention to a dangerous online game called The Blue Whale Challenge (online app). Some of our students have seen this on ‘Tic Toc’.

The Blue Whale Challenge is an internet based game that has resulted in many deaths in many countries. The Challenge is believed to be spreading across Europe with an increasing number of incidents of self-harm and suicide reported.

The administrator/curator of The Challenge targets children and vulnerable adults and gives them 50 challenges to complete over a period of weeks culminating in suicide (challenge number 50).

The majority of the challenges involve self-harm followed by sending a picture to the curator as proof. A tell-tale sign is challenge number 11: “carve a whale on your hand with a razor and send a photo to the curator”

Other examples of challenges that children and young people are urged to follow:

• Use a knife or razor to make the shape of a whale on their wrist or leg
• Get up at 4:20am and watch scary videos
• Sacrifice your hand, cut your lips
• Day 26: You will get your date of death
• Day 28: Don’t talk to anyone
• Day 50: Jump from the roof or hang yourself

You should talk to your child/ren if you are concerned about them or notice a change in their behaviour. We would encourage you to inform the school of your concerns.

You can also seek additional support from the NSPCC on 0808 808 5002 to provide help on how to keep children safe online. Please report abuse of children to CEOP (www.ceop.police.uk/Ceop-Report).

If you have safeguarding concerns you can seek advice from Mrs Dunbar or Mr Pinder. The LSCB can also be contacted online or via telephone. As always, if you feel your child is at immediate risk please dial 999 and ask for the appropriate emergency services.