12 Nov 2026
12 November 2026
Contents
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College notices
Anti-bullying week 2026 | Break the Silence
From Monday 16 to Friday 20 November, Swanmore College will be marking Anti-Bullying Week. This year's theme, Break the Silence, encourages us all to speak up, challenge bullying and support one another.
Throughout the week, our Anti-Bullying Committee will be delivering assemblies to all year groups, alongside the following activities:
Odd socks day - Monday, 16 November
We invite all pupils and staff to wear odd socks to College to celebrate our differences and recognise what makes each of us unique.
Non-uniform Day – Wednesday, 18 November
Pupils are invited to wear their own clothes to school in support of The Diana Award, a charity that provides training for our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors. A voluntary donation of £1 can be made via SCOPAY or on the day.
We look forward to coming together as a College community to celebrate individuality, promote kindness and reinforce the importance of speaking out against bullying.
An Evening with the Arts – tickets now on sale
Our annual An Evening with the Arts will take place on Wednesday, 09 and Thursday, 10 December at 7pm in the Main Hall, showcasing the talents of our Dance, Drama and Music pupils.
Tickets are priced at £6.50 for adults and £3.50 for children and are now available via SCOPAY exclusively to parents/carers of participating pupils, who have been sent full details via email.
Any remaining tickets will go on general sale from Tuesday 01 December.
We look forward to welcoming you for two fantastic evenings of performances!
Flu vaccination session reminder – NHS School Age Immunisation Service
The NHS School Age Immunisation Service will be visiting Swanmore College on Thursday, 03 December and Friday, 04 December to administer the annual flu vaccination to pupils.
Parents and carers are asked to complete the consent form by 10am on Tuesday, 01 December, whether they wish their child to receive the vaccination or not.
Please ensure you select your child's current year group when completing the form.
Consent form:
NHS Immunisations | Consent form
The flu vaccine helps protect against flu and serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Most pupils receive the vaccine as a quick and painless nasal spray. An alternative porcine-free injection is available and can be requested through the consent form.
For more information about the children's flu vaccine, visit: NHS | Child flu vaccine
If you have any questions, please contact the School Age Immunisation Service on 02382 318318 or email hiowh.swimms@nhs.net.
Flu: 5 Reasons to get protected against flu
1. Protect your child
The vaccine will help protect your child against flu and serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
2. Protect you, your family and friends
Having the vaccine will help protect more vulnerable friends and family.
3. No injection needed
The nasal spray is painless and easy to have. A porcine-free injection is available.
4. It's better than having flu
The nasal spray helps protect against flu and has been given to millions of children worldwide and has an excellent safety record.
5. Avoid costs
If your child gets flu, you may have to take time off work or arrange alternative childcare.
School Code
SH116424
For more information, visit the website:
www.healthforkids.co.uk/hampshire/annual-nasal-flu-vaccination-programme/
Swanmore College Christmas Toy Drive 2026
Supporting SCRATCH – helping local families this Christmas
We are delighted to announce that Swanmore College will once again be holding our annual Christmas Toy Drive, supporting SCRATCH, a Southampton-based charity helping local individuals and families experiencing poverty and hardship.
Following the generosity of our College community last year, we hope to make this year's appeal another success and bring some Christmas joy to children and young people who may otherwise go without presents.
Collection information
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Dates: Monday 16 November – Friday 04 December 2026
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Drop-off location: Room W11, during morning tutor time
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Donations: New or second-hand items in excellent condition
What are we collecting?
We would be extremely grateful for a wide range of gifts suitable for children and young people of all ages, including:
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Toys and games: LEGO, dolls, action figures, board games, puzzles and soft toys.
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Books and creative activities: Reading books, colouring sets, stationery and craft kits.
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Teenage gifts: Rucksacks, handbags, wallets, hats, gloves, hoodies, sports equipment, headphones and phone accessories.
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Other useful items: Christmas wrapping paper and gift bags.
We would particularly appreciate gifts suitable for teenagers, as older children can sometimes be overlooked during Christmas appeals.
There is no expectation to buy anything
We understand that Christmas can be an expensive time of year, and we want to reassure families that there is absolutely no expectation to purchase anything specifically for this appeal.
If you have toys, books, games or other suitable items at home that are no longer needed, we would be delighted to give them a new purpose. Second-hand donations are just as welcome as brand-new items, provided they are clean, complete, safe and in excellent condition.
Please ensure that all donations are unwrapped, allowing them to be checked and sorted appropriately.
Every donation, whether big or small, has the potential to make a real difference to a local family this Christmas.
Thank you for your continued generosity and for helping us spread a little kindness and Christmas cheer throughout our community.
Lilly C-H – Year 10 Pupil and Christmas Toy Drive Organiser
Hampshire SEND inspection: Share your views
Hampshire has received formal notification that Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will undertake Hampshire’s Local Area SEND inspection.
The inspection will look at the services jointly provided by Hampshire across education, health and social care, and how effectively its Local Area Partnership meets its responsibilities for children and young people aged 0 to 25 with SEND.
Over the inspection period, inspectors will review evidence and data, hear from children, young people, families and professionals, undertake tracking activity, and visit services and settings across Hampshire.
What happens next
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A survey has been launched for children and young people, parents/carers and professionals. Hampshire is encouraging everyone to share their views and experiences by completing the Ofsted SEND questionnaire.
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Evidence gathering and tracking activity will begin immediately, with inspection activity shaped by the evidence reviewed and the inspectors’ key lines of enquiry.
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Inspectors may request meetings with leaders, practitioners, children and young people, families and representative groups as the inspection develops.
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Further information, requests and arrangements will be circulated as the Hampshire inspection progresses.
Information about the Hampshire Local Area Partnership and the SEND inspection, including resources for professionals and families, is available through the Hampshire Local Area Partnership webpage.
Further information is also available in Hampshire's Self-Evaluation Framework (SEF) and Local Area Partnership Strategy.
Complete the Ofsted SEND questionnaire
Understanding Attendance: Every moment matters
Good attendance is essential in helping pupils learn, achieve and thrive. Every day in College provides opportunities to develop knowledge, build confidence and strengthen friendships. Even small amounts of time away from the classroom can have an impact on a pupil’s learning over time.
We understand that there will be occasions when pupils are unable to attend College. Our attendance monitoring process helps us identify concerns early and work with families to provide support where needed. Attendance notifications are intended to keep parents/carers informed, even when we are aware of the reasons for their child’s absence.
To help families understand how attendance is recorded and monitored at Swanmore College, we have put together the following information.
Understanding attendance: How we record and monitor your child’s attendance
Any time off school – whether authorised or unauthorised – will affect your child’s overall attendance percentage.
We will always document when we are aware of the reason behind the absence.
We still have a duty of care to alert parents if their child falls below a certain threshold.
Your child’s attendance can be found on Class Charts.
Late arrival
Any pupil arriving after 9am will be marked as unauthorised unless an officially recognised reason has been provided.
Registration
Legal registration is taken at both AM and P4 (11.45am).
If your child is not present at one of these sessions, their attendance will be effected as half a day.
Good attendance helps your child learn, achieve and thrive.
Year 7
Year 7 Science GL tests: Headphones reminder
Year 7 pupils will be completing their Science GL tests next week.
Please ensure your child brings a pair of headphones to the College for these assessments.
Calm Swan Sessions - Year 7s welcome
Encourage your child to attend a peaceful mid-week breather with Calm Swan Sessions! 🦢✨
Does your Year 7 or 8 pupil need a break from the hustle of the school day? We’re offering a welcoming, low-pressure space every Tuesday lunchtime where they can unwind, de-stress, and get creative.
Why encourage them to come along?
Zero Pressure: This isn’t a lesson – there are no grades and no experience is needed.
Mental Wellbeing: It’s a therapeutic space designed to help pupils manage stress and express themselves freely.
Creative Freedom: Whether they want to learn new techniques or just doodle and chat, it’s all about discovery.
The Details:
📍 Where: Room R02
⏰ When: Tuesdays @ 12:40 pm
Help them find their "calm" this term. We’d love to see them there!
Year 8
Year 8 Pastoral Team Update | Deputy Head of Year
We are delighted to welcome Miss Davies to the Year 8 pastoral team as our new Deputy Head of Year, taking over from Miss Bale.
Year 8 pupils have already been introduced to Miss Davies in assembly, and we are really looking forward to having her as part of the team. She brings a wealth of experience and will be a wonderful support to our pupils.
As always, please do get in touch with the Year 8 pastoral team if you have any questions or if there is anything we can do to support your child.
Calm Swan Sessions - Year 8s welcome
Encourage your child to attend a peaceful mid-week breather with Calm Swan Sessions! 🦢✨
Does your Year 7 or 8 pupil need a break from the hustle of the school day? We’re offering a welcoming, low-pressure space every Tuesday lunchtime where they can unwind, de-stress, and get creative.
Why encourage them to come along?
Zero Pressure: This isn’t a lesson – there are no grades and no experience is needed.
Mental Wellbeing: It’s a therapeutic space designed to help pupils manage stress and express themselves freely.
Creative Freedom: Whether they want to learn new techniques or just doodle and chat, it’s all about discovery.
The Details:
📍 Where: Room R02
⏰ When: Tuesdays @ 12:40 pm
Help them find their "calm" this term. We’d love to see them there!
Year 10
Year 10 English notice - The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Following the completion of the AQA Spoken Language Endorsement, Year 10 pupils will shortly begin studying Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. This is one of the key texts pupils will study for their GCSE English Literature examination in Year 11.
To support their learning, we strongly recommend that Year 10 pupils have their own copy of the novel. While copies are provided for use during English lessons, having a personal copy is extremely beneficial. It allows pupils to:
- annotate key quotations and ideas directly in the text;
- highlight important references to characters, themes and methods;
- add notes from lessons and build these up throughout the unit;
- revisit their annotations when completing homework and revision;
- become increasingly familiar with the text and locate key evidence quickly.
We recommend the CGP edition of Jekyll and Hyde, as this combines the full text with helpful notes and revision support, making it particularly useful both during the unit and when pupils return to the novel for their Year 11 GCSE revision.
Pupils eligible for Pupil Premium will be provided with a copy by the school, so families do not need to purchase one.
Thank you for your continued support with your child’s English studies.
Year 11
Barton Peveril Sixth Form College: 2028 Entry Requirements Notice
Pupils planning their post-16 academic options for September 2028 entry should note updated admission criteria for Barton Peveril Sixth Form College.
Key Entry Criteria:
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Core Requirements: A minimum of Grade 4 in both GCSE English and GCSE Maths.
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Overall GCSE Average: An overall GCSE grade point average score of at least 4.0 across all subjects.
Further Information: For full details on specific course prerequisites, subject combinations, and application guidance:
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Explore Courses: Visit the Barton Peveril website to view entry requirements by subject.
Next week’s events
- Anti-bullying week – Odd Socks Day
- U12 and U13 Netball vs. Romsey (A)
- Y10 Boys Football vs. Mountbatten (A)
- Y10/Y11 Girls Football vs. Henry Beaufort (H)
- Y10 Sports Leaders - Primary Schools Football Event at Swanmore
- U16 Basketball vs. Sholing (A)
- Y7 Boys Rugby at Oaklands
- Class of 2026: Celebration and Certificate Evening
- Y5 Maths Masterclass
- Y9 Boys Football vs. Westgate (H)
- Y5 Maths Masterclass
- Y9/Y10 Cross Country Championships at King George V Playing Fields
Community notices
Bishops Waltham Youth Club
Looking for a place to have fun, make friends and be yourself? Bishops Waltham Youth Club welcomes young people aged 11-17 years every Tuesday from 7.00pm-8.30pm.
The club has recently moved into its new home, The Haven, opposite Sainsbury's in Bishops Waltham, and offers a varied programme of activities each week. Entry is just £2 per session.
When: Every Tuesday, 7.00pm-8.30pm
Who: Young people aged 11–17 years
Cost: £2 entry
Where: The Haven, Bishops Waltham
Upcoming sessions
Tuesday, 03 November
Sports Session
Sports and board games
Tuesday, 10 November
Food, Games and Lego
Rocky Road cakes, beetle drive and design a potted plant
Tuesday, 17 November
Mirror Art and Food
Posca pen mirror art, Herd Mentality and a ping pong tournament
Tuesday, 24 November
Sports Session
Sports and board games
Tuesday, 01 December
Food and Quiz
Loaded naans, celebration activities and a quiz
Tuesday, 08 December
Vinyl Record Craft and Chess
Vinyl record art, chess competition and cookies
Tuesday 15 December
Christmas Food
Cinnamon rolls, board games and gingerbread houses
Exploring apprenticeships: Earn, learn and build your future
Apprenticeships offer an exciting opportunity to earn while learning, combining practical workplace experience with recognised qualifications. With opportunities available across a wide range of industries and at different qualification levels, pupils are encouraged to explore the apprenticeship pathways available to them as they consider their future education and career options.
Apprenticeships with the British Army
Apprenticeship details
Pupils interested in earning while learning through high-quality, practical training pathways can explore the wide range of apprenticeship opportunities offered by the British Army, supported by Amazing Apprenticeships.
As one of the UK’s largest apprenticeship providers, the British Army offers over 40 different trade pathways alongside standard military training.
Key Apprenticeship Highlights:
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Earn While You Learn: All apprentices receive a competitive starting salary from day one while completing their training.
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Range of Sectors: Qualifications are available across multiple fields, including Engineering, Telecommunications, Logistics, Public Services, IT, Healthcare, and Business Administration.
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Recognised Qualifications: Apprentices work towards nationally recognised qualifications (from Level 2 to Degree Level) alongside practical skills and leadership development.
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No Prior Experience Required: Full trade and specialist training is provided as part of the initial enlistment and development process.
Booking and Information: Pupils, parents, and carers can explore available trade roles, entry requirements, and application advice online.
Explore Pathways: Visit Amazing Apprenticeships | Explore Technical Education & Apprenticeship Opportunities or Explore Apprenticeships with the British Army - Amazing Apprenticeships to discover available roles and registration details.
Apprenticeships at KPMG
Apprenticeship details
Pupils exploring post-16 and post-18 options in business, finance, and technology are invited to discover early career pathways at global professional services firm KPMG, hosted in partnership with Amazing Apprenticeships.
Key Opportunities:
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Employer: KPMG (Global Audit, Tax, and Advisory Firm)
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Pathways Available: Level 3 to Degree Apprenticeships across Audit, Consulting, Tax, Technology, and Business Solutions.
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Earn and Learn: Combine a competitive starting salary with fully funded professional qualifications (including chartered status degrees and diplomas).
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Workplace Development: Gain practical experience working on live client projects alongside expert mentorship and continuous skill development.
Who Should Explore: Pupils seeking an alternative route to traditional university degree pathways who want to gain immediate workplace experience in professional services.
Booking and Information: Pupils, parents, and carers can explore application timelines, eligibility criteria, and programme structures online.
Explore Pathways: Visit Amazing Apprenticeships | Explore Technical Education & Apprenticeship Opportunities or Apprentice to view available roles and sign up for updates.
Get into Medicine, Healthcare and Dentistry:
Free online conferences and Work Experience opportunities
Pupils in Years 10–13 considering careers in Medicine, Dentistry, or Allied Healthcare are invited to register for upcoming virtual conferences, societies, and work experience sessions.
These free sessions provide insight into NHS professions, UCAS applications, UCAT preparation, and clinical work experience.
Virtual Medical and Dental Societies
Starting Tuesday, 17 November 2026, weekly Virtual Medical Society (VMS) and bi-weekly Virtual Dental Society (VDS) sessions will resume. Pupils can explore clinical specialities, patient care, and ethical decision-making to build reflective experience for future university applications.
Get Into Dentistry Conference (Free)
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Date: Sunday, 15 November 2026
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Cost: Free
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What it Covers: Guidance on selecting dental schools, UCAT preparation, gaining relevant work experience, and building a competitive application.
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Register Online: Visit Get Into Dentistry Conference Sign Up – Dental Mentor to reserve a place.
Get Into Medicine Conferences (Free)
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Dates Available: Saturday, 21 November 2026 or Saturday, 28 November 2026
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Cost: Free
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What it Covers: Medical school entry requirements, university selection, UCAT strategies, work experience insights, personal statements, and interview preparation.
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Register Online: Visit Get Into Medicine Conference Sign Up - Medic Mentor to book a date.
Allied Healthcare Virtual Work Experience Programme
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Date: Sunday, 06 December 2026 (8:30am – 5pm)
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Cost: £15
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What it Covers: Explore a wide range of NHS professions, including Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedicine, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Radiography, Dietetics, and Pharmacy, through live patient case studies and multidisciplinary team interactions.
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Register Online: Visit Interactive Virtual NHS Healthcare Careers Work Experience Programme - Allied Healthcare Mentor to register.
NHS dental appointments available in Portsmouth
One Smile Dental Portsmouth is currently accepting new NHS patients. NHS dental treatment is free for children under 18 and young people under 19 in qualifying full-time education.
Parents/carers can enquire about routine appointments by calling 023 9323 4105 or registering their interest online.
Urgent dental appointments may also be available for children experiencing toothache. Parents/carers should call the practice before travelling, as same-day appointments are subject to availability.
Address: 14 Isambard Brunel Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2DU
Email: portsmouth@onesmiledental.co.uk
Wake Up Wednesday
Here is our latest pick from The National College’s Wake Up Wednesday series, providing parents and carers with practical information and advice on topics affecting children and young people.
The guides cover a range of areas, including online safety, mental health and wellbeing, helping families stay informed and supporting conversations at home.
This week’s guide explores advertising aimed at children, including influencer marketing, the risks of unintended purchases and practical advice to help young people recognise and question advertising.
Click on the accordion title below to read this edition.
What Parent and Carers need to know about advertisements aimed at children
Children are particularly vulnerable to the persuasive effects of advertising because of their still-developing critical thinking and impulse control skills. Children are regularly and passively exposed to advertising online, whether through influencers, paid advertisements, or sponsored content. Although 92% of 12–17-year-olds felt confident recognising online advertising, only 37% correctly identified sponsored adverts in search results.
What Are The Risks?
Influencer Marketing
Influencers are an increasingly prominent part of children's online experiences, with four in ten 3–17-year-olds who watch online videos reporting that they watch influencer content as entertainment.
Influencers can appear credible, relatable, trustworthy and aspirational. Although seven in ten 12–17-year-olds recognised a paid partnership, some believed products were promoted because influencers liked or thought they were "cool".
Harmful Advertising
Children can encounter online advertising through games, videos, social media and links, meaning they may see content that is inappropriate for their age. This can include products or messages that influence attitudes towards body image, health or behaviours such as gambling. Repeated exposure to beauty content can normalise adult-oriented beauty routines and psychological pressure.
Unintended Purchases
Online advertising can encourage young people to make purchases. Ofcom found that 58% of 8-17-year-olds had spent money online, with 27% saying adverts encouraged them to spend and 22% influenced by influencer content. Despite this, a third of the children regretted an in-game purchase, while almost half said they were unclear about what they were buying.
This can lead to children spending more than intended or making purchases without fully understanding the cost or product, adding pressure on parents to spend.
Lack of Advertising Transparency
Advertising is not always obvious to children, particularly when influencers promote brands, products or services without clearly stating that it is an advert, or when advertising is embedded within entertaining content and uses positive language.
Children may not realise that the adverts are promoting something, making the recommendation seem more trustworthy and more influential.
Parental Pressure to Purchase
Children's exposure to online advertising can pressure parents to buy products they see advertised. When told no, children may feel upset, treated unfairly or left out when comparing themselves with peers. With children potentially seeing up to 40,000 adverts a year, parents cannot meet every request.
This can lead to arguments and put strain on family relationships.
Unrealistic Expectations
Advertising often focuses on the positive effects of a product, which can create unrealistic expectations among young people. Children may be particularly susceptible to these claims when they do not recognise the persuasive intent behind them.
They may be more likely to believe that a cream will "transform" their skin, clothing will help them fit in, or protein powders will quickly build muscle. Repeated exposure to adverts such as beauty content can normalise unrealistic expectations and create material dissatisfaction or body image concerns.
Advice for Parents & Educators
Teach Children How to Spot Ads
Help children to recognise when content is trying to sell them something. Teach them to look for signs such as "#ad", "sponsored", "paid partnership" as well as promo codes or product links attached. Explain to your child that these adverts can be embedded within videos, social media posts, games or influencer posts and are not always obvious to identify.
Helping children recognise these advertisements can make them less likely to be influenced by them.
Develop Critical Thinking Skills
It is important to encourage children to question what they see online rather than automatically believing it. Encourage them to stop and think before clicking. Have them ask themselves, "Why am I seeing this?" and "What are they trying to get me to want/buy?"
Remind them that adverts and influencers only highlight the positive aspects of a product. By developing these skills, children will begin to recognise, question, and respond to manipulative marketing practices.
Ensure Payment Details Are Locked Down
Avoid saving your bank card details on children's devices, games or apps wherever possible. This can help reduce the risk of children making accidental or impulsive purchases following seeing an advert. Check the purchasing settings on games and social media accounts and use parental controls or purchase approval settings where possible.
Talk to your child about the importance of asking before making a purchase online.
Encourage Open Communication
While it is important to set age restrictions on games and social media, inappropriate adverts can still slip through. Talk regularly with your child about adverts or influencer content they see online. Open communication makes it easier for your child to come to you if they have any questions about products or inappropriate content.
It also helps you understand what your child is being exposed to online and where they may need support.
Meet Our Expert
Dr. Claire Sutherland is an education consultant and digital safety expert, with a background in primary teaching. She combines her PhD research in cyberbullying with hands-on experience, delivering impactful digital wellbeing workshops and policies for schools across Australia and now in the UK.
The National College®
See full reference list on our website.
www.thenationalcollege.co.uk
Users of this guide do so at their own discretion. No liability is entered into. Current as of the date of release: 30.10.2026.
MYPATH: Job of the week – Lift Engineer
Ever wondered what it's really like to work in different careers?
This week's MyPath Job of the Week explores the role of a Lift Engineer.
Episode 298 offers an insight into the responsibilities of lift engineers, from installing and maintaining lifts to ensuring they operate safely and reliably.
Why not take a few minutes to watch this week's video with your child? It could spark an interest in a career they hadn't considered before!
Please note that any external clubs / events / organisations that are advertised here are not endorsed by or directly affiliated with Swanmore College in any way.
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