A reminder of the safeguarding and e-safety related events and activities held throughout the year
In addition to the important dates such as examinations, residential trips and parents evenings, schools are encouraged to look at including awareness days into the school calendar to focus on issues which relate to the social and emotional well-being of children and young people.
The benefit for schools in engaging in these days is that the organisations who organise these events often have resources such as lesson plans, so that teachers don’t have to start from scratch when putting together lessons. Also, it is a good way of evidencing ways that you promote safeguarding and e-safety to others, e.g. parents, which can be included in any self-reviews or information for Ofsted.
In addition, awareness days often generate publicity from local or national media, so stakeholders may be more interested in attending events or receiving literature which relate to them. Many organisations offer speakers and who can come into school and offer an additional perspective when talking about these subject areas.
Whilst schools may not be able to cover all awareness days that relate to safeguarding and e-safety, it is important to pick out a couple, and establish them in the school calendar. Here are some suggestions:
January
Data Protection Day - 28th January
February
Children's Mental Health Week
Safer Internet Day
No Tech for Breck Day
Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week
March
National Safeguarding Month
SIAD: Self-Injury Awareness Day - 1st March
National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day - 18th March
April
Stress Awareness Month
Childnet Film Competition
May
Mental Health Awareness Week
June
Child Safety Week
Stand up to Bullying Day
Stop Cyber Bullying Day
GoGadgetFree/Unplug
July
Disability Awareness Day
World Emoji Day - 17th July
August
International Youth Day - 12th August
September
Scroll Free September
World Suicide Prevention Day - 10th September
Sexual Health Week
Pupil Voice Week
October
Bullying Prevention Month (Cybersmile Foundation)
World Mental Health Day - 10th October
National Hate Crime Awareness Week
Get Safe Online Day
November
National Stress Awareness Day
Wear Blue for Bullying Day
Digital Kids Show
Anti-bullying Week
Alcohol Awareness Week
December
If you have an event that you would like to include in this list, please email tina@safeguardingessentials.com or use the comments section below.
As the new academic year begins, many schools will be finalising their calendar to ensure that important dates such as examinations, residential trips and parents evenings are included in the yearly planner.
