VIEWS & OPINION


Undressed: nudity and sexual messages across all ages Comment by MARK BENTLEY, Online Safety and Safeguarding Manager, LGfL


The online safety messages of the past decade have meant that parents and professionals tend to be aware of issues around teens being coerced or tricked into getting undressed online, as well as potentially doing so consensually as part of sexting. There has been less attention paid to what needs to be said to the


youngest pupils – and why these pupils need to be informed. Therefore, it’s crucial that schools and parents are on board to spread this message to even the most junior year groups. Here are the key points at a glance of why this message is so important


for all ages. Firstly, law enforcement agencies such as NCA CEOP (National Crime


Agency Child Exploitation and Online Protection) have warned over the past few years of sexual predators tricking young children into getting changed or undressed on camera: for example, by playing a ‘game’ or issuing a ‘challenge’ to see how fast they can get changed into different clothes or into a swimming costume. This might happen over video chat or live streaming apps. This is why we asked 40,000 children taking part in the LGfL DigiSafe


pupil online safety survey if they had been asked to change or undress when using these apps and sites. We found that: • Nearly one in ten pupils who video chat with people they haven’t met have been asked to change or undress


• More than one in 20 pupils who livestream have been asked to change or undress


Since carrying out this survey, new research by the Internet Watch


Foundation released in May 2018 has shown that 98% of publicly available livestreamed child sexual abuse images involved children aged 13 and under, while 28% were aged 10 and under! We at LGfL would encourage you to share this message at your school:


never get undressed on camera; ask teachers and parents to add this message to those already being communicated effectively to primary pupils. LGfL has a poster just for this purpose that can be placed in schools. You may want to explain to parents why this message is relevant to


especially the youngest pupils who do not always have the same mental capacity as older children to realise when they are being tricked. These figures show how important it is to find age-appropriate ways to explain what behaviours are unsuitable and when to seek help. It is crucial that parents can address these issues with their children. This is something with which schools can assist in various ways, including by explaining the extent to which children trust them and want to speak to them about online safety - of the pupils who confided in someone, the vast majority (71.2%) chose to tell a parent or a carer. You will obviously need to be careful how you approach this topic – if


you aren’t the designated safeguarding lead, speak to them first – but as long as the youngest children internalise this simple message, then we will make a positive difference.


uundressed.lgfl.net


Learning the rules – accountancy advice for academy schools


Comment by JAMIE RUSSELL, Perrys Chartered Accountants


The number of academy schools has steadily grown since they were introduced in 2010. Of the more than 3,800 secondary schools in England, 60% are now academies; and over 2,000 primary schools out of more than 16,000 now have academy status, meaning they receive their funding directly from central government, rather than through a local authority. The government announced plans to turn all English schools into


academies by 2020, but following criticism it is now focusing on converting ‘failing’ schools. Both academies and schools are subject to strict and complex financial


rules. Converting to academy status brings new governance and financial responsibilities, which can be daunting for finance staff, head teachers and governors.


Budget setting Setting a comprehensive budget is probably the most important undertaking any academy faces. New academies are required to prepare a budget and send it to the EFA (Education Funding Agency) within six weeks of its final funding letter. As with schools, all land and property has to be valued as well as fixture and fittings, stock and local government pension schemes. Your school’s budget should reflect the five-year improvement plan, and


take into account past performance so you can learn from under- and over- spends. Changing pupil numbers can impact budgets, and it’s important to take into account updated pay scales for teachers, as well as other financial requirements, such as insurance and maintenance.


Charities statement Academies must prepare accounts under the charities statement of recommended practice (SORP). There are various regulations to consider when preparing accounts under SORP. If your school is newly converting to academy status, it may be worth considering engaging a specialist accountant to help ensure a smooth transition.


October 2018 An accountant can help explain the significance of restricted and


unrestricted funds; the roles and responsibilities of trustees and governors; and the financial returns required by the EFA, including the Financial Management and Governance Self-assessment (FMGS).


Special rules for MATS If an academy is within a MAT (multi-academy trust), it is governed by one trust and a board of directors, which must include representatives from each school. Each individual school has a Local Governing Body, which reports back to the board of directors, but there’s only one accounting officer.


Compare notes The government’s schools financial benchmarking allows you to compare your academy or school’s income and expenditure with other schools in England. See www.schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk.


Invest in accountancy software Having the right accountancy software to help keep track of finances is crucial. Not only can everything be kept up to date and in one place, but you will also be able to maintain compliance and accurately forecast numbers for the future. An accountant will be able to help you choose the right software for your needs.


Professional help is available Setting up and running a new academy can be a minefield in terms of accounting. Teachers’ Pension Schemes, VAT and Corporation tax, statutory audits and payroll processing all require a level of expertise to negotiate. Consider seeking the help of a professional accountant with expertise in


academy conversion. The initial outlay of employing an accountant may seem expensive, but in the long run it could save you precious time and ensure a smooth transition to academy status.


www.education-today.co.uk 25


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