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Summer Term 2026 Issue No: 4

PASTORAL BULLETIN GENERAL NOTICES Pastoral Bulletin Issue 3 Is My Child Too Ill for School? Administering Medications in School and on School Trips Injuries Outside of School Safeguarding Team Parents’ Guide to Reporting an Absence 2025/26

PASTORAL SECTIONS UKHSA Essential Travel Checklist for Families Drowning Prevention Week Online Safety Update: Poppy Playtime Instagram: The new supervision tool Understanding harmful sexual behaviour in children NSPCC Parent Resources The Issue of Pornography Mobile Phone Policy & Phone Locker Pouches Mental Health First Aid Kit Safety on the Road Staying safe this summer Mental Health & Wellbeing Understanding Looksmaxxing Omoggle the new Omegle Understanding Com Networks Safety Attendance Guide for Parents

Welcome to Clifton High School’s pastoral newsletter for the Summer Term 2026. Safeguarding is at the forefront of everything we do, and every staff member understands their responsibility for the welfare of our pupils and students. Designated Safeguarding Lead and Attendance Champion, Mr Luke Goodman (Senior Deputy Head: Pastoral) provides expert leadership and works across all key stages with a specifically trained DSL Team. To discuss any topics or share your ideas, please email: lgoodman@cliftonhigh.co.uk 1

GENERAL NOTICES PASTORAL BULLETIN To review Pastoral Bulletin Summer Term 2026 Issue 3, click the button below. If you have any queries or would like to discuss topics and share ideas, please email the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Attendance Champion, Mr Luke Goodman (Senior Deputy Head: Pastoral) via lgoodman@cliftonhigh.co.uk.

IS MY CHILD TOO ILL FOR SCHOOL? Please use the advice from the NHS, linked here, to retain our attendance levels.

ADMINISTERING MEDICATIONS IN SCHOOL & ON SCHOOL TRIPS

To consent to your child receiving medication in School, please complete the form linked here. If unwell at School, pupils must attend the Medical Centre and consult a School Nurse, who can assess their medical needs and administer any necessary treatment. To consent to your child receiving medication on School Trips, please complete the form linked here. If unwell on a School trip, pupils must inform their Trip Leader who will support them in administering any necessary treatment. Both forms are also available to access in the Quick Links section of your Talaxy module. Please can parents who have consented to their child administering their own medication in School or on School trips remind them that this medication must not be shared with their peers.

INJURIES OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL May we request that if your child sustains an injury outside of School, please notify the Medical Team via medical@cliftonhigh.co.uk as soon as possible, so we are aware and can arrange for any necessary care required. To report a child’s absence, please click the guide.

PASTORAL SECTION UKHSA ESSENTIAL TRAVEL CHECKLIST FOR FAMILIES The UK Health Security Agency has published a travel checklist for families to help to support safe travel and minimise health risks. We have been asked by Bristol City Council’s Safeguarding in Education Team to include in our setting’s communication with parents/carers: The essential travel checklist to keep you and your family healthy on holiday – UK Health Security Agency is linked here.

DROWNING PREVENTION WEEK Several young people have died in water-related incidents during the recent heatwave, so we feel it is important to share that Drowning Prevention Week is happening from 13th to 20th June. The campaign has been organised by the Royal Life Saving Society UK and includes resources that can be used to educate children and others about water safety and the Water Safety Code. The Child Accident Prevention Trust provide further information and support here. Avon and Somerset Fire and Rescue share tips and dangers here. A recently published article featuring a lecturer at Loughborough University argued that children will naturally seek out water during heatwaves, which will increase in a warming climate. This means that sustained education is required around water risk and safety.

ONLINE SAFETY UPDATE: POPPY PLAYTIME A horror game franchise, officially rated PEGI 16, is reaching children as young as primary school through social media, other gaming platforms and even toys. Most adults remain unaware of what the game actually contains or its dangers. Poppy Playtime is a horror survival video game played in first person as the player explores an abandoned toy factory, fleeing monstrous former toy characters with no means of defence. The best known is Huggy Wuggy, a tall blue creature with an enormous grin and very long arms. More recently, the franchise introduced the Smiling Critters, colourful animal characters including CatNap and DogDay, who have become equally or more recognisable to many younger children.

INSTAGRAM: NEW SUPERVISION TOOL You must be over 13 years of age to set up an account. Instagram is used to post photos and videos as well as send direct messages, make voice/video calls, and send disappearing messages. Instagram have introduced a new supervision tool allowing parents/carers to view the general 3 topics their child is engaging in.

PASTORAL SECTION UNDERSTANDING HARMFUL SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR IN CHILDREN Many parents hear the term harmful sexual behaviour and immediately feel worried or unsure what it means. In schools, this term is used to describe sexual behaviours shown by children that may be unsafe, inappropriate, upsetting or harmful to themselves or others. It is important to remember that children are still learning about bodies, privacy, relationships and boundaries. This is why calm, age-appropriate conversations at home are so important.

WHAT IS HARMFUL SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR?

Harmful sexual behaviour can include: touching another child in a way that makes them uncomfortable trying to look at private body parts using sexual words or language they do not fully understand showing sexual images to other children pressuring other children into games or behaviours they do not want to join in with copying behaviours they may have seen online, in videos, games or from older children. Some behaviours may seem ‘childish’ or ‘just joking’, but children still need help to understand safe boundaries, consent and respect.

HOW CAN CHILDREN LEARN THESE BEHAVIOURS? Children may copy things they have: seen online, including through social media heard from older children watched in videos, films or games overheard in conversations been sent via group chats on gaming platforms. Young children are naturally curious, but they often do not fully understand what they are seeing or repeating.

WHY TALKING ABOUT THIS MATTERS Children who understand body safety and boundaries are more likely to recognise when something feels wrong, speak up if they feel uncomfortable and understand when they need help from a trusted adult. These conversations also help children learn to respect other people’s personal space and boundaries, as well as understand the importance of consent in an ageappropriate way. Talking about these topics is not about frightening children or taking away their innocence. It is about helping them stay safe, build healthy relationships, and learn how to treat others 4 with kindness and respect.

NSPCC PARENT RESOURCES

There is a wide range of information for parents available on the NSPCC website: Supporting a child who has mental health problems What parents can do about self-harm Online safety information for parents Advice on talking to children about drugs and alcohol Help talking about difficult topics Talk PANTS with your child (the underwear rule) Helping children deal with divorce and separation Advice on keeping children safe in sport on the Child Protection in Sport Unit website

THE ISSUE OF PORNOGRAPHY If you need further advice and support, the following resources may be helpful: Children’s Commissioner – Growing up with pornography: advice for parents Bernardo’s - How to talk to children about keeping safe online Thinkuknow – ageappropriate advice for children and parents NSPCC – support and tips for online safety Common Sense Media – reviews and guidance on digital content

THE ISSUE OF PORNOGRAPHY In today’s digital world, children and young people are increasingly exposed to online content that may not be age-appropriate, with pornography being one of the most concerning. As part of our commitment to safeguarding and supporting the wellbeing of our young people, we aim to help parents and carers understand the risks and how to protect and support their child. Why is this important? Children may come across pornography accidentally through pop-ups, social media, or mainstream websites. Others may seek it out due to curiosity or peer pressure.

THE ISSUE OF PORNOGRAPHY CONT/D Early exposure can have serious impacts: Unrealistic expectations: Pornography often presents unhealthy and unrealistic portrayals of relationships, consent, and bodies. Mental health concerns: It can lead to confusion, anxiety, shame, or compulsive behaviours. Impact on relationships: It may affect how young people view intimacy and gender roles. Addiction risk: Repeated exposure can become compulsive, affecting learning, relationships and self-esteem. What if my child has seen pornography? Stay calm: Reacting with anger or shame can close down communication. Ask open questions: “What did you see?” or “How did it make you feel?” Reassure: Let them know they are not in trouble and that you are there to support them. Guide and educate: Use the moment to teach about healthy relationships, respect, and safe online use.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY & PHONE LOCKER POUCHES Ahead of September and with the ongoing Department for Education’s guidance on ‘expecting, by default, phone-free schools’, Clifton High School pupils do not require a mobile phone (or other personal internet-enabled devices) in School, at any time. We have sourced a practical approach to banning mobile phones during the School day by purchasing Phone Locker pouches and bringing into effect a new Mobile Phone Policy in September 2026.

COMMUNICATIONS REMINDER

The parent communication sent via Talaxy earlier this week is linked here. Current Year 6 & 7 parents and Year 8 to 10 parents should complete the Talaxy Forms sent to them separately to indicate whether their child requires a mobile phone in School and to confirm if they need a Phone Locker pouch in September 2026.

Clifton High School’s long-term goal is to support the Smartphone Free Childhood movement to become a completely mobile phone-free School. We are confident that this will have a lasting and uncompromising impact on children’s learning, wellbeing, behaviour and social relationships.

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID KIT FROM CHILDLINE Childline has some good resources to support you child with their mental health. Childline’s Mental Health First Aid kits are resources to help young people manage their mental health, providing them with tools and techniques to distract, relax or calm down. The Childline website has resources to share with young people to help them build their first 6 aid kit.

PASTORAL SECTION STAYING SAFE THIS SUMMER ‘The Downs’ is certainly considered a beacon of green space in Bristol – it is an amazing piece of open space close to our community and provides a freely available green playground for us all. It is also a known location for large groups to gather and is often a target of crime, with young people having their property stolen and experiencing gang violence. We would urge families to make sure they are aware of when their children are meeting on ‘the Downs,’ that they can contact someone in an emergency, and that they are ‘streetwise’ with any expensive personal items, such as phones or bicycles. There continue to be ongoing reports of thefts, alcohol and other drug misuse being witnessed and experienced on Durdham Downs. Please consider how safe this space is for your child if afforded unsupervised time this summer. Our School link PCSO for the Clifton Neighbourhood Policing Team is Melanie Kirk, who can be contacted by telephoning 101. Here are some simple suggestions and steps you can help support your child with, to make sure they stay safe this summer: Never go off on your own with a stranger, take things from them or get in a car with them Make sure you tell your parents where you are If someone scares you, or makes you feel uncomfortable, go somewhere safe, which could be your home, your school or a police station Remember to tell someone what has happened straight away If you have apps that share your location, such as Snapchat’s Snap Maps, make sure you check the location settings to see who you are broadcasting this to

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING You can contact our Parents Helpline team by phone, webchat or email for free, confidential advice on supporting a young person with their mental health. Whatever you and your young person are struggling with, they're here for you.

SUPPORTING YOUR TEEN THROUGH SCHOOL ANXIETY Join Young Minds for a free webinar designed to help parents and carers support children through school anxiety and overwhelm. They have teamed up with Luna, the teen health and wellbeing app, to narrow the gap between what teens are feeling and what parents are seeing. Did you know that Young Minds offers three different services to parents and carers who are concerned about their child's mental health? You can expect: • Expert guidance from our Parents Helpline • Real-world insights from Luna’s community • Practical tips for families The one-hour webinar takes • The chance to ask anonymous questions place on 24th June at 7:30pm 8

PASTORAL SECTION UNDERSTANDING LOOKSMAXXING Many parents and carers know that young people feel pressure about appearance, especially due to social media. The online trend of ‘looksmaxxing’ is gaining popularity among teenagers, particularly boys. What is Looksmaxxing? ‘Looksmaxxing’ is a term used to describe attempts to improve physical appearance in order to become more attractive, gain social status or increase popularity online. While some content focuses on relatively harmless habits such as skincare, exercise, sleep or fashion, other areas of the trend can become far more extreme and unhealthy. Young people may encounter advice encouraging: obsessive dieting or exercise rigid appearance ‘ratings’ dangerous supplements dangerous ‘do it yourself’ tricks to change facial appearance cosmetic surgery unhealthy comparisons with others’ beliefs that appearance determines personal value or success. Some online communities linked to Looksmaxxing also promote negative attitudes about selfworth, masculinity, relationships and social status. Where did Looksmaxxing come from? The term originated in online forums and social media spaces focused on self-improvement and appearance. Over time, it spread widely through platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Discord, where short-form videos and algorithms can quickly expose young people to increasingly extreme content. Many influencers present Looksmaxxing as a route to confidence, popularity or success. However, the advice shared is often unregulated, unrealistic, dangerous and designed to generate engagement rather than support wellbeing. One of the most recent trends encourages boys to use a hammer to break their cheekbones in order to shape their face in a particular way. You may notice new languages or phrases such as: Mogging – looking significantly more attractive, stylish or physically dominant than others in a group, essentially ‘outshining’ them. Glow-up – dramatic transformation in a person's physical appearance. Hunter eyes – a distinctive eye shape characterised by the deep-set position. Measuring facial harmony – assessing the proportions and space between facial features. Looks rating – providing feedback on symmetry and style of facial features. If parents or carers are concerned about a child’s wellbeing, changes in eating habits, excessive focus on appearance or anxiety linked to social media, support from Clifton High School staff, a GP or mental health services may be helpful. 9

PASTORAL SECTION OMOGGLE THE NEW OMEGLE? What is Omoggle? Omoggle is a new anonymous video chat site where users are paired with strangers and rated on their appearance by an AI algorithm. It's become a popular platform within the "mogging" trend where people are compared and ranked based on their looks and has been gaining significant traction across platforms such as Twitch and TikTok, particularly among younger audiences. Why is it a concern? The site's anonymous nature means young people can end up in an unmoderated space being judged on how they look, with no oversight. This kind of content is linked to body image issues, low self-esteem, and bullying, and it's particularly concerning for younger users. Beyond this, 'mogging' culture has strong links to incel-adjacent communities and Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE).

DIVERSITY WEEK

This coming week, from 22nd to 26th June, is Diversity Week. This is a national, annual celebration of LGBTQIA+ equality and diversity in schools across the UK. One of the most powerful aspects of this week is hearing directly from our pupils, who remind us of the importance of inclusion and the strength that comes from embracing diversity in all its forms. Diversity Week also reinforces Clifton High School’s commitment to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for every member of our community. By celebrating differences and promoting kindness and understanding, we continue to build a school culture where everyone feels valued and respected. Studies show that LGBTQIA+ inclusive environments boost the wellbeing and future optimism of all pupils; queer, questioning and straight. These experiences not only broaden understanding but also encourage curiosity, empathy, love and respect. At Clifton High, we have various activities planned to make our LGBTQIA+ pupils feel seen and safe. These include allowing pupils to wear pride-related accessories all week, an Excelsior Forum assembly, dressing the dining room, giving out stickers and culminating in some pupils joining the BEP Pride Parade and Picnic at Cotham School. Clifton High School, A Place to Belong.

PASTORAL SECTION UNDERSTANDING COM NETWORKS Com Networks (short for Community Networks) are online groups that appear harmless on the surface but can cause serious harm both online and offline, including physical, sexual and financial crimes. Think of Com Networks (or Com Groups or ‘The Com’) as exclusive digital clubs operating in the shadows of mainstream platforms. Primarily composed of teenage boys, these groups often move from mainstream social media or online public forums to private group chats on platforms like Discord, Telegram or Instagram. While they may initially appear to centre on hobbies like gaming, coding, or music, the focus quickly shifts toward a highpressure hierarchy where social status is gained through digital power or the possession of rare online assets. The National Crime Agency (NCA) has issued a high-level warning regarding these sadistic online communities as reports in the UK surged sixfold.

SAFETY What every child should know about personal safety As parents and carers, we teach our children many important skills: how to cross the road safely, how to be kind to others and how to look after themselves. Personal safety is another important life skill that helps children recognise when something doesn't feel right, understand their boundaries and know where to get help when they need it. The good news is that personal safety conversations do not need to be frightening or complicated. In fact, some of the most effective conversations happen naturally as part of everyday family life. Helping children understand body safety One of the most important messages children can learn is that their body belongs to them. Children should understand that they have a right to feel safe and that they can speak up if something makes them feel uncomfortable. This includes helping them understand personal boundaries and that they can say "no" to unwanted touch. It is also helpful for children to know the correct names for all parts of their body. Research suggests that children who can accurately describe their bodies are often better able to communicate concerns if something happens that worries them. Teaching body safety is not about making children fearful of others. It is about helping them develop confidence, self-respect and an understanding of healthy boundaries. Safe, unsafe and confusing situations Children often find it easier to understand personal safety when we move away from talking about ‘good people’ and ‘bad people’. Instead, it can be helpful to talk about situations that feel: Safe – when they feel comfortable, happy and secure. Unsafe – when they feel frightened, worried or in danger. Confusing – when something does not feel quite right, but they are not sure why. Helping children understand that confusing feelings matter is particularly important. Sometimes children cannot explain exactly what is wrong, but they know something does not feel right. Encouraging them to talk about these feelings helps them learn to trust themselves and seek support Safe secrets, unsafe secrets and surprises Surprises, like birthday presents or special treats, are fun and temporary, but secrets can be different. Surprises are shared, but unsafe secrets are kept hidden and can make someone feel worried or upset. Children should never keep a secret that makes them uncomfortable or that someone asks them to hide from trusted adults. Teach your child that it is always okay to tell.

ATTENDANCE GUIDE FOR PARENTS What is considered good attendance? We always aim for 100% school attendance to help maximise children’s access to education and learning and to support them in achieving their full potential. We acknowledge that for a small number of children, this attendance figure will not be possible due to reasons of ill health, disability, or other social/emotional needs. In these cases, children’s attendance will be viewed within the context of each learner’s needs so that they can be supported to achieve their highest level of attendance. What is persistent absence? Good attendance is important, and even though 90% sounds really good, it means that a child is missing 10% of their education. Children who attend school 90% or less are considered to be persistently absent. This is a total of 16.5 school days over the academic year. This will have a negative impact on their education and ability to catch up on the work missed. What PARENTS must do: Try to telephone/email the school before 8.30am each day of your child’s absence. Tell the School in advance of any medical appointments If you are not sure whether your child is well enough to attend School, send them in anyway, as they often perk up on arrival. Have a backup plan for if your child misses transport, call on a family member, neighbour or friend. If you and your child are experiencing difficulties with School attendance, then talk to us as a first step so we can help! What CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL will do: Check your child’s attendance every day. Phone home to discuss your child’s attendance with you. Invite you to the School for attendance meetings if we are concerned. If we cannot establish a reason for absence, then we may make a welfare home visit. Members of the Attendance Action Alliance worked with the Department for Education to develop this short guide, which helps parents understand how they can work with their school and local authority to support their children to attend school and get the right support. Click here to read this guidance. What is considered good attendance? We always aim for 100% school attendance to help maximise children’s access to education and learning and to support them in achieving their full potential. We acknowledge that for a small number of children, this attendance figure will not be possible due to reasons of ill health, disability, or other social/emotional needs. In these cases, children’s attendance will be viewed within the context of each learner’s needs so that they can be supported to achieve their highest level of attendance. 13

ATTENDANCE GUIDE FOR PARENTS CONT/D What is persistent absence? Good attendance is important, and even though 90% sounds really good, it means that a child is missing 10% of their education. Children who attend school 90% or less are considered to be persistently absent. This is a total of 16.5 school days over the academic year. This will have a negative impact on their education and ability to catch up on the work missed. What PARENTS must do: Try to telephone/email the school before 8.30am each day of your child’s absence. Tell the School in advance of any medical appointments If you are not sure whether your child is well enough to attend School, send them in anyway, as they often perk up on arrival. Have a backup plan for if your child misses transport, call on a family member, neighbour or friend. If you and your child are experiencing difficulties with School attendance, then talk to us as a first step so we can help! What CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL will do: Check your child’s attendance every day. Phone home to discuss your child’s attendance with you. Invite you to the School for attendance meetings if we are concerned. If we cannot establish a reason for absence, then we may make a welfare home visit.

Members of the Attendance Action Alliance worked with the Department for Education to develop this short guide, which helps parents understand how they can work with their school and local authority to support their children to attend school and get the right support. Click here to read this guidance.