Dear Parents/Carers,

The internet, mobile phones, social media and, more recently, AI, have become a big part of our lives in recent years. Many children have a mobile phone and therefore have access to many wonderful resources online.

Unfortunately, as I am sure you are aware, this means that people can also use the internet, social media and AI technology for negative reasons.

We are hearing of so many cases of online abuse and online sexual abuse : on the news, in documentaries and, unfortunately within our own communities. The world wide web means that no one is unreachable.

Despite children covering online and internet safety in PSHE lessons and assemblies, some children are taken in by people online, posing as a friend, an ally or  someone they can talk to and confide in. The following short video is a shocking reminder of the way that children, even while in the supposed safety of their own homes, can be targeted. Home Truths – Make sure your home doesn’t have an open door to child sexual abusers – YouTube

Snapchat is the main forum that perpetrators use to contact vulnerable children online, with 50% of all cases reported. WhatsApp and text messaging a close second.

Unsavoury AI apps and websites have started to appear and are accessible to children – one of these ‘nudification’ websites, which turn regular images into naked or pornographic images, was visited by 24 million people worldwide so far this year. 98% of these images are made pornographic but 96% of those are women and girls. This does not mean that boys and men are not targeted by perpetrators of online abuse, of course.

Do you know WHO your child is talking to online? Do you know your child is SAFE online? How often do you check your child’s phone activity? Do you have parental safety controls on your child’s phone?

If you have come across any issues regarding online abuse of your child, please let us know, we will be able to advise you on what steps you need to take. Here are some websites that you can contact who may be able to help if you or a family member become victim to this type of abuse.

Internet Watch Foundation: www.iwf.org.uk

Childline (Report Remove): Report Remove | Childline

Report Harmful Content:

CEOP: https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/

Feel free to contact me, or the safeguarding team if you are ever worried about anything. Please see attached some guides on how to keep your child safe.

Have a happy and safe two-week holiday, we look forward to seeing pupils back in school on the 6^th January 2025

Yours sincerely

Beccy Broderick and the Safeguarding Team.

Letter from Mr WilkinsonSchool Report – March 2024

The Bemrose School is 90 years old.

When the school opened in 1902 on Abbey Street it was called Derby Municipal Secondary School. The Present day site was opened on July 11^th 1930 at a cost of £71,000! Our most recent refurbishment works cost £16million. The school was originally a boys Grammar school and it became a comprehensive in 1975. Since then the premises have been enlarged with the DT block opening in 1990 and in 2015 came the Primary school and Sports Hall refurbishment. We currently educate 1450 students from the ages of 3-19. The school has a notable list of famous ex-students including Derby County Legend Steve Powell, Actor James Bolam, Scientist Sir Nigel Rudd and the highest ever ranking Royal Marine Gary Robison. The school is the only school in the country to be affiliated to HMS Ambush, a Royal Navy Submarine.