If you are concerned about a child…

Outside School:

• If you think that a child is in immediate danger, dial 999.

• If you are worried that a child is being abused or neglected, call the Children and Families' Hub on 0345 603 7627 (out of hours 0845 606 1212).

• NSPCC Whistleblowing helpline can help you 0800 028 0285 or report by clicking on the Report abuse picture below.

• Report non-urgent child sexual exploitation to the police by dialling 101.

• To report on-line inappropriate materials use the CEOP button (teachers can help with this)  at www.ceop.police.uk  or www.essex.police.uk/cse

• If your concern is about terrorism contact prevent@essex.pnn.police.uk

• Further useful sources of information can be found on our website  on "Where to look for help" at  www.collingwoodschool.net

At school:

• If you are concerned about a child’s safety or wellbeing, please speak to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Leads; Mrs Buckland-Garnett or for our After School Club this is Mrs Chettur.

• If you are concerned about a member of staff’s behaviour, please ask to speak to the Headteacher; Mrs Buckland-Garnett

• If you are concerned about the Headteacher’s behaviour, please ask to speak to the Chair of Governors in confidence.

• Our Safeguarding Governor is Mrs Spearman.  Please ask at the office or ring 01245 322258 during school hours, if you would like them to contact you.

Better to report it, however small, than a child is made to suffer!

How we can help you in school

Help for Parents:

We hold a wealth of information and can point you in the right direction such as support groups, our local food bank, School Nurse etc.  Whether it’s coping with difficult behaviour, advice on eating, playing, bedtimes or pocket money, we are here to help.  Please ask at the office to speak to Mrs Smith (Phase Leader) or, if the matter is confidential, Miss Shanley or Mrs Button (Assistant Headteacher) or Mrs Buckland-Garnett (Headteacher).

Help for children:

Sometimes children find it difficult to speak to parents if they think that they might worry.   We will inform you if we think that your child is worrying and ask you to do the same.  Encourage your child to tell an adult at school,  you can ring us if you need to add some detail without your child listening.  

Lunch Club

For some pupils,  a lunchtime of unstructured play outside is just too long!  We offer pupils, “Lunch Club”, where children can eat their lunch with an adult and their friends, whilst developing their social interaction skills and table manners.  After, they can choose to play inside with toys or go outside or do a combination of both.   If you feel your child would benefit from lunchtime club or would like to find out more, please speak to their teacher.

Children’s Art Therapy

Collingwood works closely with The Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society to provide short term support to children and their families, regardless of their beliefs.  Please speak to your child's teacher if you feel that your child might qualify.

T.L.C.s (Termly Learning Conferences) are an opportunity to discuss: 

• your child’s wellbeing;

• the latest assessments for your child and the progress they have made;

• how you can support your child’s next steps in their learning;

Do not hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher, via their school email,  if you wish to ask any questions about the progress your child has made since these discussions.  You do not have to wait until a formal meeting!  (teacher emails are firstletteroffirstname.surname@collingwood.school)

Counselling for Families and Children:  Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society (BCCS) offers therapeutic support directly to children, young people, families and parents through their Child and Family Counselling Service (CFCS) located in their head office in Billericay. Their CFCS team consists of several experienced and highly qualified therapists working in specially adapted therapy rooms. Families can contact BCCS directly by emailing Catherine Munns cmunns@bccs.org.uk who will outline the type of support that will be provided for them or their child.  There is a charge for this service but they urge any families needing support to contact them.  More information is available on their website: www.bccs.org.uk

Advice on Talking to children about illness and dying

https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/diagnosed/talking-children/children

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/dying-with-cancer/coping-with-the-news/supporting-children

https://www.sueryder.org/how-we-can-help/someone-close-to-me-has-died/advice-and-support/telling-a-child

https://www.winstonswish.org/supporting-you/supporting-a-bereaved-child/

https://www.farleighhospice.org/advice-support/support-for-families-and-carers/bereavement

https://www.cruse.org.uk/sites/default/files/default_images/pdf/Free-leaflets/AfterSomeoneDies-forYoungPeople.pdf

https://youngminds.org.uk/starting-a-conversation-with-your-child/

http://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/help-around-a-death/about-bereavement.aspx

Teaching Road Safety: A Guide for Parents https://www.rospa.com/media/documents/road-safety/teaching-road-safety-a-guide-for-parents.pdf

Keeping Children Safe in the Dark https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/keeping-children-safe-in-dark/

Dark Nights https://www.childcare.co.uk/information/dark-nights-children-safety

Be Bright Be Seen https://brightkidz.co.uk/initiatives/be-bright-be-seen/