E-Safety Information – AI Enabled Scams

9th July 2025L Forster

AI can be an amazing tool for education and creativity – sadly, it’s also become a tool for online scammers  This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide shines a light on the dark side of using AI, including phishing emails, fake voice calls, and influencer-based frauds targeting younger users ⚠️

From deepfake videos to romance scams powered by chatbots  the tactics are getting more convincing – and the consequences more serious. If you’re looking to help children and young people navigate the online world with confidence and caution, this guide offers key insights and practical advice to keep them safe ️

AI isn’t just transforming the way we learn and work, it’s also reshaping the tactics scammers use online. From generating convincing phishing emails to fabricating influencer videos, criminals are using AI to make their scams more convincing than ever. Young people, who often embrace new tech quickly, can be especially vulnerable.

This guide highlights several AI-enabled dangers – including romance scams, deepfake audio and video impersonations, and fake job offers – and explains how to spot and report them. With clear tips for verifying content, thinking critically, and using trusted platforms, it’s essential reading for parents and educators to help young people stay one step ahead of the scammers.

https://nationalcollege.com/

E-Safety Information – YouTube Kids

18th June 2025L Forster

YouTube Kids is designed to be the safer cousin of the regular YouTube app; however, built-in risks continue to pose concerns  From targeted advertising to addictive design, there’s more going on behind the scenes than many realise. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide breaks it all down.

 

Whether it’s inappropriate content slipping past filters or tech-savvy kids bypassing parental settings, YouTube Kids still needs careful oversight. Our guide provides clear, easy-to-follow tips to help adults keep young users protected while still enjoying their favourite videos 

YouTube Kids promises a safe, child-centric experience with colourful visuals, age-filtered content, and robust parental controls. Designed to appeal to younger viewers, the app has grown rapidly, being used by tens of millions of children worldwide. But is it as safe as it seems?

Despite YouTube Kids’ safeguards, reports have highlighted worrying issues, such as inappropriate content slipping through filters, subtle advertising, and the use of manipulative design to keep children engaged. Our guide explores how to navigate these pitfalls, offering practical advice for making sure children get the most from the platform – without the risks.

https://nationalcollege.com/

E-Safety Information – Generative AI Safety

11th June 2025L Forster

Generative AI can be a brilliant tool for creativity and learning  – but it’s not without its hazards. With 3 in 4 pupils now using generative AI (up from just 2 in 5 last year!), it’s more important than ever for parents and educators to understand the risks ⚡

This week’s free #WakeUpWednesday guide breaks down the key safety concerns around generative AI tools and offers expert advice for keeping young users safe. From encouraging critical thinking to safeguarding their privacy, find out how to help children use AI safely and smartly 

The remarkable growth of generative AI tools like ChatGPT has opened up exciting new opportunities for young learners. Used wisely, AI can be a powerful ally in boosting creativity, learning and problem-solving skills. However, without proper guidance, young people may stumble into challenges including inaccurate information, data security risks, and a growing reliance on AI over their own critical thinking.

From setting clear usage boundaries to teaching digital hygiene and promoting independent thought, this guide offers parents and educators practical advice on the safe, positive use of AI. With the right understanding and guidance, you can ensure that generative AI becomes a positive influence, rather than a potential pitfall in young people’s digital lives.

https://nationalcollege.com/

E-Safety Information – Instagram

3rd April 2025L Forster

Instagram  remains one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, especially among teens – used by around 70% of 13 to 17-year-olds.

It may be one of the most familiar social media names around but features like AI-powered chatbots and Threads integration have added fresh challenges for families and schools to navigate From worrying livestreams to issues like social exclusion and fear of missing out, Instagram isn’t just about photos. As the platform evolves, so too must the conversations we have with young people about how they use it 

Our latest #WakeUpWednesday guide outlines what these new features involve, the possible risks they bring and how to make the most of Instagram’s parental controls to keep children safe online. ️

Instagram remains a go-to app for teens, with its endless stream of photos, videos, and ‘Stories’ keeping young users constantly connected. From influencer content to live broadcasts, the platform is packed with evolving features that can feel fun and engaging – but can also raise some serious concerns around screen time, online pressures and exposure to inappropriate content.

We’ve created this free guide – also available in podcast format – offering parents and educators up-to-date knowledge on the risks and safety tips for this latest version of Instagram.

https://nationalcollege.com/

Parents’ Evening Booking – 10th and 17th March

21st February 2025L Forster

To book an appointment for your child, click on the name of their teacher – for years 4, 5 and 6 please select the teacher your child has on a morning for literacy and numeracy. At the bottom of the window, click ‘Jump to the next available date‘ and choose either the 10th or 17th of March and select the available time you would like to see the teacher and fill in the fields displayed.

Please make sure that your device it set to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to avoid confusion over timings of appointment.

The school are unable to book appointments. Please only contact the school to cancel appointments that are made by mistake or if you are unable to attend.

Visual references of steps:

Links to booking system:

Nursery
Miss Hamilton Miss Smith
Reception
Mrs Moore Miss Patterson Mrs Wilkinson
Year 1
Mrs Twigg Mrs Beattie Miss Mullea
Year 2
Mrs Adams Mrs Jones Mrs Langley
Year 3
Miss Maffin Mrs Hawkins Mrs Pottinger/Mrs Whitfield
Year 4
Mrs Clark Mrs Wright Mrs Davis Mr Forster
Year 5
Mrs Trotter Miss Errington Miss Booth Mr Steadman
Year 6
Mrs Fawkes Mr Dawson Mr Thompson Mrs Allen

Geography Map Skills!

20th May 2022J Devlin

Over the past couple of weeks it has been Harton’s Teachers and Support Staff’s turn to dive into extending our geography skills! We have all learnt lots of new map work activities and created a school orienteering course that we will be able to use in our future lessons! We had lots of fun and would like to thank Alice and the OASES team for delivering such engaging training!

Wow! 249 cans so far!

By eclark13th March 2017

Our School Council members have been carefully counting your cans of food. They were thrilled to find that our first ‘Canny Friday’ resulted in 249 cans being collected for the South Tyneside Food Bank.

We’re looking forward to our next Canny Friday (17th March) already!

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