Duke’s Secondary News | NCEA Duke's Secondary School

Tik Tok

15th January 2025Louise Gatti

With 22% of its billion-strong userbase being between the ages of 13 and 17, the popularity of TikTok among the younger generation is indisputable. Providing entertainment in the form of a stream of short-form video content while allowing its users to post videos of their own the app has skyrocketed to prominence over the last few years, becoming a fixture in young people’s digital lives.

Of course, with a platform as popular and gargantuan as TikTok, it can be intimidating trying to figure out how best to safeguard children and young people using the app. That’s why we’re releasing our brand-new guide to TikTok, detailing the main online safety concerns and suggesting strategies to reduce these risks for the app’s younger users.

Family Cafe at Ashington Family Hub

15th January 2025Louise Gatti

JusTalk Kids

8th January 2025Louise Gatti

– billed as a child-friendly version of the JusTalk social networking platform – boasts a strong community of younger users, with approximately 20 million accounts having been created on the app. In theory, a social media site designed specifically for children and young people should avoid many of the usual risks associated with other platforms.

In practice, however, it’s important to note that JusTalk Kids has its fair share of online safety concerns.You’ll find expert advice on the hazards in the app, and how you can safeguard the children in your care as they use it in this week’s free guide, empowering you to make a young user’s time on the platform as secure as possible.

Labour Market Information update- Dec 24

7th January 2025Danielle Towers

Access to up to date career and labour market information is important for helping students to explore potential pathways for their future. Check out the latest news in our Labour Market Information Bulletin.

LMI update Dec 24

Supporting children to return to routine

6th January 2025Louise Gatti

Returning to the usual routine after the holidays can be a stressful time for anyone and that includes those children and young people who are making their way back to school. Difficulty readjusting to a structured schedule, worries about reuniting with classmates and teachers, and potential pressures around continuing their education cannot only impact children’s academic performance, but have further negative effects on their emotional wellbeing.

Of course, there’s plenty we can do as parents and educators to help make the transition back to education as easy as possible for the youngsters in our care and this week’s free guide offers you expert advice on exactly that topic. Give it a read and equip yourself for helping children settle back into the school routine.

Duke’s Journal #24

20th December 2024Louise Gatti

Winter 6th Form Newsletter

20th December 2024Louise Gatti

Solihull Approach

18th December 2024Louise Gatti

Thrive Festive Chain of cheer

18th December 2024Louise Gatti

Thank you so much for taking part in our Chain of Cheer Challenge for Action for Children’s Secret Santa Appeal. We are so impressed with your festive bunting. Together, the Thrive community has created over 3,317m of Christmas cheer! Because of your generosity and care, we are able to provide gifts and warm clothing for children in need this Christmas.

Duke’s AEN department has been taking part in the festive chain of cheer. With a total of 121 flags coloured and drawn our banner wraps around the AEN department and is 25.7m’s long. Our students have really enjoyed taking part this.

Please find attached a video showing the whole chain and pictures of some of the fabulous flags.

Merry Christmas and happy new year from the staff in the AEN Dept at Duke’s Secondary School.

Safety on Social Media

18th December 2024Louise Gatti

Social media apps such as TikTok and Instagram are immensely popular among children and young people: Ofcom found that 96% of children have their own profile on at least one of these platforms by the age of 17. These apps feature short-form, algorithmically tailored content ensuring that their users spend as long as possible viewing posts and videos.

As parents and educators, it is vital for us to safeguard the children in our care if – or more likely, when – they use social media. However, the question then becomes “what exactly can we do?” This week’s expert-led guide is here to answer precisely that, offering top-level advice on keeping children and young people safe as they navigate the digital landscape.