Education Noticeboard - 15 December 2022
Welcome to the Education Noticeboard. A round-up of news, guidance and key updates for education settings.
Included in this update:
- Executive Director & Education Director update
- A letter from Jo Britton
- £500 grants for young people are now open
- Telford Priory School record Christmas Song
- The School Games Santa Dash
- Happy Healthy Active Holidays – Winter 2022 activities starting next week!
- One-pound leisure activities help families to keep busy this winter
- PODs Christmas opening hours
- Beam Christmas opening hours
- An opportunity to place your CPD course bookings
- Motivational interviewing for education settings – access your school’s free place
- Guidance for all settings on Scarlet Fever and Group A infections
- An update for schools and colleges on new capital funding to help improve energy efficiency
- An update on buying energy for your school
- New calculator tool now available to track your school’s tutoring
- A new guide for parents on improving school attendance
- A reminder for all education, childcare and children’s social care settings to review their emergency and contingency plans
- An invitation for schools and colleges to access quality assured mental health lead training
- A request for childcare providers to register with their childcare regulator
- A request for contributions to the Early Years Educator Level 3 qualification consultation
- Winter water safety
Executive Director & Education Director update
Hi all,
It’s almost the end of 2022 and we want to start by saying how proud we both are of all the achievements made across our early years settings, schools and post 16 providers this year. You make a huge difference every day to our children, young people and their families. It has been great to share your good news stories on the noticeboard over the year – please do keep them coming!
This week, as well as some important messages and updates, there are also some timely seasonal messages to help our families of the young people and children. This includes opening hours of some support services, where and when to access £1 leisure activities and information on the Winter provision from the Healthy Happy and Active Holiday’s scheme.
We wish you all a terrific Christmas, and festive break. Here’s hoping you enjoy some downtime with the people you love and perhaps a mince pie or two!
Have a good festive period and we will see you in the New Year!
Jo and Simon
Jo Britton
Executive Director Children’s Services
Simon Wellman
Director: Education and Skills
A letter from Jo Britton
Dear colleagues,
Your schools and settings have worked tirelessly this term to provide an enriching, consistent and fun learning environment for the children and young people in the borough, including the all-important areas of mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Ofsted have visited many of you and we know this creates additional pressure, but there have been many positive outcomes and signals the strength of provision across the borough.
Various awards have been presented to Telford & Wrekin schools, including the BBC Make a Difference Award to Hollinswood Primary for their environmental achievements, the Platinum Artsmark Award to Southall School for their commitment and creativity through the arts and a Carnegie Award to Aqueduct Primary for its mental health and welling provision. It is worth pointing out that the work every setting does is immensely appreciated, which applies to those who have not be recognised with an award alongside those that have!
And across the wider service, we have seen some amazing innovation and development.
We have achieved the most fantastic outcomes for our Children in Care, who achieved above the national average in their exams across all key stages. Some of these amazing results were celebrated with an afternoon tea earlier this term. Our brilliant Virtual School, in collaboration with you - our schools, have been key to supporting these children and we look forward to seeing them go from strength to strength in education and beyond.
A new Corporate Parenting Strategy has been launched, entitled ‘Our promise to you’ which runs from 2022-2025. It has seven core principles, or strategic priorities, and has been designed and co-produced by our care-experienced young people. We will be tracking how impactful this new strategy is, and I encourage you as key partners in delivering this work, to consider what you currently do and what activities you might be able to do in your role as Corporate Parents.
We are continuing to progress a series of partnership-focused practice innovation, which includes our second year of Family Safeguarding, key education programmes in schools to support young people to stay safe, and our work towards the launch of Family Hubs.
The 2023 Leader and Cabinet Young Person Grant Scheme launched last week and we are hoping to secure another record year of applications. I encourage our secondary schools and post 16 providers to take a look at the website and consider supporting applications and promoting the scheme.
Our 10 by 10 scheme is ongoing, which has some special wintry activities available for our younger children. Take a look at the website and sign up to receive regular news and updates. I am pleased to note that nearly 1000 children have now registered to take part!
We also have our Healthy, Happy, and Active Holidays scheme. This will be running through the Winter holidays (Saturday 17 December 2022 – Sunday 7 January 2023). There will be a number of holiday activities available for children and young people who are receiving income-based free school meals. I know you will be supporting families eligible to access the provision available to them.
Whilst all of this work has been going on we have completed the expansion work at John Randall Primary School and Nursery, Haughton School and Holy Trinity Academy.
Finally our adult education service, Learn Telford, had its own OFSTED this week and continues to be rated ‘Good’. A brilliant achievement and testament to the hard work of the team.
Our children in Telford continue to be cared for and cared about. Thank you for all your work this term ensuring we continue to achieve the best for them.
All the best
Jo
Jo Britton
Executive Director Children’s Services
£500 grants for young people are now open
Returning for the seventh year, Telford & Wrekin Council has launched the ‘The Leader and Cabinet Members’ Young Person Grant 2023’, supporting young borough residents aged 15-25 to take the next steps in their career.
The grant of up to £500 is available for young people who are seeking support to help get them into education, employment or training. Additionally, the grant is also available to young people who need support overcoming a hardship of any kind to help them strive towards a better future.
To be eligible for the grant, the young person must live in Telford and Wrekin - or be a child in care or care leaver living outside of the borough - aged 15-25. They must showcase how the funding could successfully help them overcome barriers, including those that are currently preventing them from accessing education, employment or training. It is also available to those seeking to start up their own business and need an initial investment.
Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council Cllr Shaun Davies (Lab) said, “I’m thrilled that we are once again offering this grant to young people across the borough. It’s a fantastic opportunity to support people in their education, employment and training and give back to our local community. Over the last six years, the grant scheme has supported 369 young people with a total of £79,697 and made a huge difference to their lives. Every cycle we meet so many enthusiastic and intelligent young people who showcase their passions. We are on their side and want them to achieve their dreams. It is a real privilege to be a helping hand for young people and to see how a relatively small amount of money can make such a big impact.”
Cllr Shirley Reynolds Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, and Families (Lab) said, “All of our young people deserve the chance to pursue their dream careers and the Young Person Grant can make that possible. We invite all eligible candidates to apply and look forward to hearing about what they want to achieve going forward – whether to overcome a hardship, start up a business or enrol in education to help them on their journey to success. So, to not miss the deadline, we encourage entrants to submit their applications early. We look forward to reading them!”
Applications are now open and will close at 5pm on January 5th 2023.
For more information or to submit an application visit the Telford.gov.uk website.
Telford Priory School record Christmas Song
Pupils from the Telford Priory School have recorded a version of ‘Real Love’ as their Christmas song for 2022. The song was originally recorded by The Beatles, and most recently covered by Tom Odell.
The School Games Santa Dash
The School Games Santa Dash is a national event which took place on 9 December 2022. The general idea is to just have festive fun, get the children active and involved emphasising the importance of being active.
The children are encouraged to participate in this fun event and wear red to get into the Christmas spirt. We had children and young people all across Telford and Wrekin wearing Christmas hats, Christmas jumpers, lovely red scarfs, and bright red coats.
Well done to all the schools across the borough that took part in this event this year.
Happy Healthy Active Holidays – Winter 2022 activities starting next week!
The Happy Healthy Active Holiday’s scheme will be running through the Winter holidays (Saturday 17 December 2022 – Sunday 7 January 2023). There will be a number of holiday activities available for children and young people who are receiving income-based free school meals.
There will be a range of activities on offer at Holiday clubs for children in reception to Year 11. Every day a child attends they will be provided with a nutritious meal and at least 4 hours of enrichment activities, including 60 minutes of physical activity, arts, crafts and nature walks.
In order to access the scheme parents and carers of children who are eligible must register on the HHAH website. Video tutorials on how to register, manage and cancel bookings are all available on the website. Many of our providers are also offering Christmas hampers to families that take part in their activities to take home with them (these hampers will feed a family of 4 and make it just that little bit easier for them over the cold winter period).
Parents and carers who are eligible for income-related FSM have been directly notified of the scheme and informed by letter on how to sign up. They will have also received an email that bookings are live from 29 November 2022 onwards.
If you are able to promote the HHAH scheme to eligible families then that would be greatly appreciated. Whether that is by directing them to the Happy Healthy Active Holidays website or if you know some families will need your support to register for the scheme. We have created a paper registration form for those unable to apply online. Please can we ask that schools support these families in completing the form and returning it so that we can get them in contact with the holiday club.
Thankyou for your help with this!
Like last year, there is some flexibility for other children, not eligible for FSM to access the scheme. This may include children and families living in areas of deprivation, those known to children services and those that have SEND as examples. If you feel a child would benefit from the HHAH programme, please contact the HolidayActivityHub@telford.gov.uk inbox so we can provide more information and a special code for the family to register on the website.
We have pulled together a brochure of some of the activities running over the Winter holidays that all income related FSM families will have received in their letters!
One-pound leisure activities help families to keep busy this winter
Family favourite indoor and outdoor activities are available including swimming, tennis and soft play as well as winter themed sports like tobogganing and tots donuts at Telford Snowboard and Ski Centre.
The one-pound sessions will run from Monday 19 December to Saturday 31 December 2022.
Telford Ice Rink’s Magical Christmas event is also running throughout December which will see visitors of all ages enjoy festive discos, winter themed skating and meet Christmas characters on the ice. This event is perfect for residents who are looking for a Christmas experience Christmas right on their doorstep.
Councillor Kelly Middleton (Lab) Cabinet Member for Leisure, public health and well-being, equalities and partnerships said: “Hundreds of residents take part in our kids 4 £1 activities each week during the school holidays so we know just how valuable these sessions are to families in our borough right now especially during December which is already such an expensive time of year for everyone.
As a council which is on the side of our residents, we want everyone to live healthy fulfilled lives and this includes having access to the fantastic leisure facilities which are on people’s doorsteps. These one-pound sessions are not only a great way to keep busy but they offer families the opportunity to try new activities like snow sports – we’d encourage everyone to book just one activity and give it a try.”
Activities can be booked 7 days in advance (with the exception of swimming) to help ensure you get your guaranteed slots.
The latest brochure can now be found online.
PODs Christmas opening hours
The whole of the PODS Team would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, whatever form that may take.
Please note that our social media presence and response to emails will be limited over the festive period (Mon 19th Dec – Mon 2nd Jan inclusive) whilst our dedicated staff spend some well earned time with their families. Posts will still be approved and messages answered, although there maybe a delay so please bear with us.
If you need to contact us urgently please message our page and it will be picked up, please be aware if you ring, this may go unanswered.
A big thank you to all our Volunteers who have continued to support us through another amazing year, we look forward to seeing all of you in 2023.
Our Hub will be closed from 2pm on Friday 16th December until 10am on Tuesday the 3rd January except for the dates listed below:
Date | Time | Activity/Venue | Information |
Monday 19 December 2022 |
10am-2pm | Christmas crafts Sports Stocking making |
At PODS Hub Pre-booking essential Spaces available - £3 per child |
Tuesday 20 December 2022 |
10am-2pm | Wrekin Forest School | FULLY BOOKED |
Wednesday 21 December 2022 |
10am-2pm |
Warm Hub |
Free event |
Thursday 22 December 2022 |
10am-2pm | Blists Hill | FULLY BOOKED |
Thursday 29 December 2022 |
10am-2pm | Lego Sports Coding |
At PODS Hub Pre-booking essential Limited spaces available - £3 per child |
Friday 30 December 2022 |
10am-2pm | Biscuit decorating | At PODS Hub Pre-booking essential Limited spaces available - £3 per child |
Tuesday 3 January 2023 |
10am-2pm | Warm Hub Self-serve Crafts & board games |
Free event No booking required Just turn up! |
Beam Christmas opening hours
Christmas opening times are as follows:
Tuesday 20 December 2022
9 Market Square, Wellington, Telford, TF1 1BP
10am-6pm
Thursday 22 December 2022
9 Market Square, Wellington, Telford, TF1 1BP
10am-6pm
Friday 23 December 2022 to Monday 2 January 2023
Offices closed
Drop in and email responses closes
Tuesday 3 January 2023
9 Market Square, Wellington, Telford, TF1 1BP
10am-6pm
Thursday 5 January 2023
9 Market Square, Wellington, Telford, TF1 1BP
10am-6pm
Saturday 7 January 2023
9 Market Square, Wellington, Telford, TF1 1BP
10am-2pm
Last sessions are held approx. 45 mins before closing time.
For updates and more information, follow Beam on Instagram @shropshirebeam or visit the website.
An opportunity to place your CPD course bookings
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your enthusiastic participation in our courses during the Autumn Term 2022 and wish you a thoroughly well deserved, enjoyable, relaxing and safe Christmas and New Year break.
The 2022-23 CPD Booklet continues to be available on the Telford Education Services site.
Course bookings with a course code are made by sending a completed CPD booking form via email to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk.
Other courses and briefings without a course code are usually booked by sending your email address name and school name to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk (unless stated otherwise).
AET Good Autism Practice |
Tuesday 3 January |
9am to 12pm |
Managing Employee Performance |
Monday 9 January 09 |
2.30pm to 5pm |
Wednesday 11 January |
9.15am to 4pm |
|
Thursday 12 January |
3.30pm to 5pm |
|
Tuesday 17 January |
3.45pm to 6pm |
|
ECT Induction Tutor - initial training |
Tuesday 17 January |
4pm to 5.30pm |
Absence Management of Employees |
Wednesday 18 January |
2.30pm to 5pm |
An Introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage |
Wednesday 18 January |
4pm to 5.30pm |
Developing a Communication Friendly Environment in the EYFS |
Thursday 19 January |
9.15am to 12noon |
Safety Intervention Refresher Training (formerly MAPA Refresher Training) - CPI accredited |
Thursday 19 January |
8.45am to 12.30pm |
Newly Appointed Safeguarding Governor Induction Training - part 1 |
Monday 23 January |
5.30pm to 7.30pm |
Developing the Behaviour Policy |
Tuesday 24 January |
4pm to 5.30pm |
Tuesday 24 January |
4pm to 5.30pm |
|
Designated Teacher for Children in Care Network Meeting (Post 16) |
Wednesday 25 January |
4pm to 5.30pm |
Establishing Yourself as a SEND leader, for new and returning SENCOs |
Wednesday 25 January |
4pm to 5pm |
Wednesday 25 January |
9.15am to 12noon |
|
Newly Appointed Designated Safeguarding Leads' Training (2 days) - part 1 |
Wednesday 25 January |
9.15am to 4pm |
The Strategic Role of Governors |
Thursday 26 January |
4pm to 6pm |
EAL and SEND? |
Thursday 26 January |
1.15pm to 4pm |
Safety Intervention Training (formerly MAPA training) - Part 1 - CPI accredited |
Thursday 26 January |
8.30am to 4pm |
Newly Appointed Designated Safeguarding Leads' Training (2 days) - part 2 |
Thursday 26 January |
9.15am to 4pm |
Awareness Raising of Emotion Coaching – level 1 |
Tuesday 31 January |
4pm to 5.30pm |
Taking the Chair - part 1 |
Wednesday 1 February |
4.30pm to 6.30pm |
Wednesday 1 February |
3.30pm to 5pm |
|
Safety Intervention Training (formerly MAPA training) - Part 2 - CPI accredited |
Thursday 2 February |
8.30am to 12.30pm |
Listen with Lucy |
Thursday 2 February |
1.15pm to 4pm |
Accredited Safer Recruitment Training |
Thursday 2 February |
9am to 4.30pm |
EAL & Maths |
Tuesday 7 February |
3.45pm to 6pm |
Preparing for Statutory Assessment at the End of KS2 |
Wednesday 8 February |
9am to 12.30pm |
Meeting the Statutory Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements of the EYFS |
Wednesday 8 February |
4pm to 5.30pm |
Preparing for Statutory Assessment at the End of KS2 |
Thursday 9 February |
9am to 12.30pm |
The Importance of the Early Years Foundation Stage in Schools |
Thursday 9 February |
5.30m to 7pm |
Raising Awareness of Prevent |
Thursday 9 February |
1pm to 2.30pm |
Managing Sexual Violence & Sexual Harassment in Schools |
Thursday 9 February |
9.30am to 12.30pm |
Taking the Chair - part 2 |
Wednesday 15 February |
4.30pm to 6.30pm |
Supporting SEND in the Classroom for Early Career Teachers (part 1) |
Wednesday 15 February |
1.15pm to 4pm |
Newly Appointed Safeguarding Governor Induction Training - part 2 |
Wednesday 15 February |
5.30pm to 7.30pm |
Behaviour Support Intervention Refresher Training - Non-accredited |
Thursday 16 February |
8.45am to 12.30pm |
Meeting the OFSTED requirements and developing reading strategies for EAL learners at KS2 |
Thursday 16 February |
3.45pm to 6pm |
Early Career Teacher Network (combined event) |
Thursday 16 February |
4pm to 5pm (with optional informal drop in 3.30pm to 4pm + 5pm to 5.30pm) |
Understanding Children’s Development in the EYFS – Milestones, Theories and Approaches |
Thursday 16 February |
9.15am to 12noon |
Motivational interviewing for education settings – access your school’s free place
Motivational Interviewing Training will be delivered by the Education Safeguarding Team and is aimed at school staff who work directly with families open to the family safeguarding model.
Wednesday 1 March 2023 - 9.30am to 12.30pm
Wednesday 22 March 2023 - 9.30am to 12.30pm
Wednesday 3 May 2023 - from 1pm to 4pm
This training will provide an overview of Motivational Interviewing, including how, as partners, we can model this strengths-based approach within the Family Safeguarding Model.
The key principles are as follows:
- Engagement with the client, rather than doing something to them – i.e. change cannot be forced or pushed on to someone. It has to be internal for the client in order to be meaningful and long term.
- Rolling with resistance (NB this is not rolling over or being passive).
- Expressing empathy.
- Avoiding Conflict.
- Developing discrepancy in the client’s thinking.
- Supporting self-responsibility.
Please note that this training is limited to one free place per school, school nursery, academy and independent school.
Key Outcomes
Delegates will:
- gain an understanding of the spirit and principles of motivational interviewing
- gain a practical understanding of the cycle of behaviour change, and how it can encourage positive thinking about change
- be able to use key motivational interviewing techniques in the context of conversations, both formal and informal.
To book your school’s free place, please send a completed CPD Booking Form to cpdschoolimprovement@telford.gov.uk.
Guidance for all settings on Scarlet Fever and Group A infections
This is an update from the Department for Education
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reporting an increased number of cases of Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) compared to normal at this time of year.
For more information visit the UKHSA website or the Education Hub.
Resources will be made available in due course on the online resource centre.
An update for schools and colleges on new capital funding to help improve energy efficiency
This is an update from the Department for Education
We have announced £500 million of additional capital funding this financial year for schools, sixth form colleges, Further Education (FE) colleges and designated institutions to help improve energy efficiency.
This funding will provide £447 million for schools and sixth form colleges and £53 million for FE colleges to spend on capital improvements to buildings and facilities, prioritising works to improve energy efficiency. Where they judge this is not appropriate based on local circumstances, schools and colleges have discretion to spend this on other capital projects.
We have published guidance for schools and FE colleges on steps for reducing energy use and small-scale works to improve energy efficiency.
Further details regarding eligibility for this funding and individual allocations are available for schools and FE colleges and designated institutions.
An update on buying energy for your school
This is an update from the Department for Education
Two new Department for Education approved energy frameworks are now available on find a framework:
For the latest on our wide range of webinars, please view the events tab on our buying for schools LinkedIn page.
New calculator tool now available to track your school’s tutoring
This is an update from the Department for Education
We have developed a calculator tool to help you track how much tutoring your school has delivered this academic year. This tool is entirely voluntary, and the data captured is for internal use only.
When populated, the calculator tool will provide you with:
- a breakdown of your National Tutoring Programme (NTP) funding allocation and the contribution expected from your school
- a monthly tracker to record the number of pupils in receipt of tutoring, the number of hours of tutoring provided and the total amount you have spent – this cumulative data will be helpful for schools to use in their year-end statements (available from June 2023)
- a reconciliation calculation providing an indication of any underspend from this academic year that could be recovered by the Education and Skills Funding Agency
For further information on NTP, please read our guidance for schools.
A new guide for parents on improving school attendance
This is an update from the Department for Education
Members of the Attendance Action Alliance have 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.
A reminder for all education, childcare and children’s social care settings to review their emergency and contingency plans
This is an update from the Department for Education
Each setting should have contingency plans in place for foreseeable risks, detailing what you would do and how you would respond if you needed to take any temporary actions in the event of an emergency.
As we are entering winter months, emergency plans should be reviewed and include robust contingency plans for a wide range of winter scenarios, such as disruption caused by severe weather (including where this may impact transport or food), power outages or high levels of seasonal illness.
Our emergency planning guidance provides further guidance and support.
An invitation for schools and colleges to access quality assured mental health lead training
This is an update from the Department for Education
It only takes 5 minutes to reserve a £1,200 grant for Department for Education quality assured senior mental health lead training.
This develops knowledge and practical skills to embed an effective whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing, including:
- understanding and identifying mental health and wellbeing needs
- approaches to plan and lead change to improve your approach
- developing your settings universal and targeted support offer
- strategies to listen to student/pupil voice and develop positive relationships with parents, families and carers
- approaches to work effectively with community mental health services
The grant can also be used to pay for supply cover to backfill the individual undertaking training, or for further support to sustain your approach to mental health and wellbeing.
A request for childcare providers to register with their childcare regulator
This is an update from the Department for Education
Thousands of families are missing out on government-funded childcare support. By registering with your childcare regulator, you can unlock support for more parents and carers, and boost your business at the same time.
You don’t have to be a nursery or childminder. You can also sign up if you run:
- breakfast and after-school clubs
- holiday clubs
- play schemes
We have developed a provider toolkit, which contains a step-by-step guide on how to register and promote government-funded childcare support to families using your service.
You can also use our parent toolkit to raise awareness of the campaign and direct your parents and carers to the Childcare Choices website, which has all the information they need about the funding that eligible families could get to help pay for their early years and school-aged childcare needs.
A request for contributions to the Early Years Educator Level 3 qualification consultation
This is an update from the Department for Education
We are consulting on a revised criteria for the Early Years Educator Level 3 qualification.
The qualification criteria were last updated in 2014. NCFE, an education charity and leader in vocational learning, conducted the review of the Early Years Educator Level 3 qualification and criteria over the summer, and we are now consulting on their recommendations for improvements.
Please review the suggested criteria and let us know your views. The consultation closes on Monday 23 January 2023.
Winter water safety
With snow and ice affecting the UK, The Royal Life Saving Society UK are urging the public to be aware of the dangers these freezing conditions can pose.
Many aren’t aware of the dangers of frozen water; it may look solid from the surface but will not hold your weight and could crack when stood on. The Royal Life Saving Society UK has devised these safety tips about the dangers of frozen waters.
When water is frozen and the cold weather sets in these are a few safety tips to take note of:
- Teach children not to go on to frozen lakes, ponds, canals and reservoirs under any circumstances. Children and pets are particularly at risk when tempted to play on the ice formed on open water during cold weather.
- Pets should be kept on leads when near frozen water and owners should refrain from throwing objects onto ice for them to retrieve.
- Bystanders should shout reassurance to casualties without endangering themselves. Make sure help is on the way by phoning the emergency services (call 999 or 112).
- Do not walk or climb onto the ice to attempt a rescue and certainly don’t get into the water, you may become the next casualty.
- If someone can’t climb out of the water, it is not advisable, as many people think, to move about in the water to keep warm while waiting for help. Instead they should conserve their energy by keeping as still as possible.
If you see someone fall through the ice:
- Shout for assistance; get help also by phoning the emergency services (call 999 or 112).
- Do not walk or climb onto the ice to attempt a rescue.
- Shout to the casualty to ‘keep still’ and offer reassurance to keep them calm.
- Try and reach them from the bank using a rope, pole, tree branch, clothing tied together or anything else which can extend your reach.
- When reaching from the bank, lie down to avoid being pulled onto the ice – this spreads your weight more evenly.
- If you cannot reach them, slide something which floats, such as a plastic bottle or football, across the ice for them to hold onto to stay afloat whilst help is on the way.
- If the casualty is too far away, do not attempt to rescue them. Wait for the emergency services while calming and reassuring the casualty.
If the casualty has been rescued from the ice:
- Make sure the ambulance is on its way.
- Lay the casualty flat, check for normal breathing and begin resuscitation if necessary.
- Prevent them from getting colder by covering them with warm clothing, blankets etc.
- Get them out of the cold, under cover or create some shelter around them.
- Until the casualty is in a warm place, do not undress them.
- Do not rub their skin, do not apply hot water bottles and do not give an alcoholic drink.
- Keep them wrapped up so they warm up gradually.
If you fall through the ice:
- Keep calm and shout for ‘help’.
- Spread your arms across the surface of the ice in front of you.
- If the ice is strong enough, kick your legs to slide onto the ice.
- Lie flat and pull yourself towards the bank.
- If the ice breaks, work your way to the bank breaking the ice in front of you anyway.
- If you cannot climb out, wait for help and keep as still as possible. Press your arms by your side and keep your legs together. Keep your head clear of the water.
- Once you are safe, go to hospital immediately for a check up.
It is important to note the first stages of mild hypothermia are shivering and teeth-chattering. Should you notice these symptoms you need to warm up with a combination of warm, dry clothes and activity.
With snow and ice affecting the UK, The Royal Life Saving Society UK are urging the public to be aware of the dangers these freezing conditions can pose.
Many aren’t aware of the dangers of frozen water; it may look solid from the surface but will not hold your weight and could crack when stood on. The Royal Life Saving Society UK has devised these safety tips about the dangers of frozen waters.
When water is frozen and the cold weather sets in these are a few safety tips to take note of:
- Teach children not to go on to frozen lakes, ponds, canals and reservoirs under any circumstances. Children and pets are particularly at risk when tempted to play on the ice formed on open water during cold weather.
- Pets should be kept on leads when near frozen water and owners should refrain from throwing objects onto ice for them to retrieve.
- Bystanders should shout reassurance to casualties without endangering themselves. Make sure help is on the way by phoning the emergency services (call 999 or 112).
- Do not walk or climb onto the ice to attempt a rescue and certainly don’t get into the water, you may become the next casualty.
- If someone can’t climb out of the water, it is not advisable, as many people think, to move about in the water to keep warm while waiting for help. Instead they should conserve their energy by keeping as still as possible.
If you see someone fall through the ice:
- Shout for assistance; get help also by phoning the emergency services (call 999 or 112).
- Do not walk or climb onto the ice to attempt a rescue.
- Shout to the casualty to ‘keep still’ and offer reassurance to keep them calm.
- Try and reach them from the bank using a rope, pole, tree branch, clothing tied together or anything else which can extend your reach.
- When reaching from the bank, lie down to avoid being pulled onto the ice – this spreads your weight more evenly.
- If you cannot reach them, slide something which floats, such as a plastic bottle or football, across the ice for them to hold onto to stay afloat whilst help is on the way.
- If the casualty is too far away, do not attempt to rescue them. Wait for the emergency services while calming and reassuring the casualty.
If the casualty has been rescued from the ice:
- Make sure the ambulance is on its way.
- Lay the casualty flat, check for normal breathing and begin resuscitation if necessary.
- Prevent them from getting colder by covering them with warm clothing, blankets etc.
- Get them out of the cold, under cover or create some shelter around them.
- Until the casualty is in a warm place, do not undress them.
- Do not rub their skin, do not apply hot water bottles and do not give an alcoholic drink.
- Keep them wrapped up so they warm up gradually.
If you fall through the ice:
- Keep calm and shout for ‘help’.
- Spread your arms across the surface of the ice in front of you.
- If the ice is strong enough, kick your legs to slide onto the ice.
- Lie flat and pull yourself towards the bank.
- If the ice breaks, work your way to the bank breaking the ice in front of you anyway.
- If you cannot climb out, wait for help and keep as still as possible. Press your arms by your side and keep your legs together. Keep your head clear of the water.
- Once you are safe, go to hospital immediately for a check up.
It is important to note the first stages of mild hypothermia are shivering and teeth-chattering. Should you notice these symptoms you need to warm up with a combination of warm, dry clothes and activity.