This week, we're sharing a range of resources, guidance and information to support the wellbeing and professional development of everyone working in schools and colleges. We also have an important update to the recent reports of abusive content being posted on TikTok. Reporting and removing abusive TikTok videos – advice for schools and colleges Since the recent issues highlighted around abusive content towards school and college staff being posted on TikTok, we have been engaging with TikTok on the action being taken to quickly remove content. TikTok have confirmed that the best way for schools and colleges to get content removed to is to report it through the Professionals Online Safety Helpline - UK Safer Internet Centre. The Professionals Online Safety Helpline has produced an article and short video on how best to report content. TikTok commit to removing content which breaches their community guidelines. Call the helpline on 0344 381 4772 or email helpline@saferinternet.org.uk. We continue to work with TikTok, trade unions, the Children's Commissioner and other bodies to monitor the situation and consider if further action needs to be taken. We are clear that social media companies need to take immediate action against harmful content on their platforms. It is never acceptable for anyone to harass or intimidate education staff. Some incidents may constitute a criminal offence and schools/colleges should report those they think may come into that category to the police. We know many institutions are already talking to students about these issues and we fully support schools and colleges in taking appropriate action against pupils and students who are identified as posting abusive content. Read more about how schools and parents can spot and tackle online abuse of teachers. Mental health support for school leaders Last week we announced a new mental health support scheme specifically for school leaders. The scheme will be delivered by the charity Education Support and will provide free one-to-one counselling and peer support to around 2,000 school leaders, helping those at deputy head level and above with their mental wellbeing. You can find out more about how to access the programme through the Education Support website or by calling their hotline on 08000 562 561. Supporting a whole school approach through the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter To support whole school mental health and wellbeing, we have also updated the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter. The charter was co-created with unions, mental health charities and schools and colleges and is a tool to help you create your own wellbeing strategies to protect, promote and enhance the wellbeing and mental health of staff. We know the DfE has a vital role to play in supporting staff wellbeing, which is why we have also pledged to work with the sector to drive down unnecessary workload, improve access to wellbeing resources, and champion flexible working among a range of actions to support staff wellbeing. Find out more about the Education wellbeing charter and consider signing up on GOV.UK, or read this blog from Bedford Academy on the 4 key ways they're prioritising wellbeing. Flexible working can boost wellbeing in schools Over 1 in 4 teaching jobs advertised so far this November on our free job-listing service Teaching Vacancies offer flexible working options. Flexible working is a pillar of the wellbeing charter: recent research found that 89% of teachers working flexibly felt they were able to maintain a good work-life balance and manage their workload more effectively and 85% felt their wellbeing had improved by working flexibly. Contact the DfE flexible working ambassador school in your region to find out more about the support available, read blogs from schools on the subject or take a look at the flexible working resources for teachers and leaders on GOV.UK. Celebrate outstanding teachers on The One Show every night this week This week, The One Show is celebrating all those working in education as they announce the Gold Teaching Award winners. We are proud partners of the Teaching Awards Trust and sponsor four of their Awards: Outstanding New Teacher of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, FE Lecturer of the Year and FE Team of the Year. Tune in to BBC1 every weeknight this week, at 7pm, to join the celebration, hear some inspirational stories and find out who will be taking home a Gold Teaching Award. Best of luck to all those nominated! Has this email been forwarded to you? We send out this Teacher Bulletin a few times per half term to school contacts in the Get Information About Schools database and individuals who choose to subscribe directly. It brings together some of the recent advice and information we've published. If you've received this Bulletin because a colleague has forwarded it to you and you'd like to get it directly, you can subscribe by following the link below. |
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