The bulletin provides information about mental health resources for students. Brentwood County High School has launched a mental health platform called Zumos to provide students with self-help tools for building resilience. Zumos allows anonymous access and the school can monitor usage statistics. Students can anonymously post concerns and the school will follow up if the student wishes. It also contains games, a diary, and relaxation activities. Students have all been emailed logins to create personal accounts. Parents are encouraged to have their children access Zumos. Contact information is provided if parents have any questions.

1. November/December 2020
Wellbeing Bulletin
Welcome to our bi-monthly wellbeing bulletin here you will find different strategies to support your mental
wellbeing. If you’re going through a difficult time or are struggling with how you’re feeling, it can be really
scary and upsetting. The wellbeing team are here to support you with any emotions that you are going
through.
Brentwood County High School has launched the mental health and wellbeing platform Zumos to our students. It is
developed in collaboration with EWMHS and is an excellent self-help platform for young people.
Zumos is designed to build self-confidence, resilience and wellbeing in what are challenging times. It is all anonymous
but as a school we can monitor statistical information about what students are accessing and show any flare ups of
concerns in certain year groups.
The students can anonymously “speak out” on the website and we will then deal with this if the student wishes to come
forward.
There are so many fantastic ways to engage such as games, a diary, a chill out zone and a daily power quiz that the
students could do in form time.
Please can we encourage your child to have a look? They have all been emailed a log in and can then create their own
personal log in. It a brilliant tool and we really want to make good use of this.
https://www.zumos.co.uk/Wellbeing.aspx
If you have any questions regarding this platform please contact Mrs Paula Ramsden on p.ramsden.bch@osborne.coop
We understand Christmas can be difficult during ‘normal’ times so we are sharing the link to mind which has some useful
tips for coping at Christmas during COVID.
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/christmas-and-mental-health/christmas-coping-
tips/

2. What are the potential risks of social messaging apps to young people?
Social networking and messaging apps allow young people to maintain social relationships with school friends,
distant friends or online friends they’ve never met. However, there are some important safety issues that it’s worth
knowing as a parent.
Chatting with strangers
Meeting and chatting with strangers online poses risks to young people who might be vulnerable to grooming and
online (and offline) forms of sexual abuse.
Sending inappropriate content
With the physical barrier of a screen, some people feel more empowered to pressurise others into sending
messages, often of a sexual or derogatory nature.
Sharing a location
Many apps work on the basis of identity or phone number information. In many cases apps don’t always let you
know that this information is being used, meaning children could be sharing personal information. As well as on the
social networks themselves, privacy and security settings are available on most devices.
Sharing information
Many apps work on the basis of identity or phone number information. In many cases apps don’t always let you
know that this information is being used, meaning children could be sharing personal information. As well as on the
social networks themselves, privacy and security settings are available on most devices.
Cyberbullying
Smartphones allow people to take photos and share them instantly on their social networks or post information
about someone online in seconds. Sometimes this can mean young people are even more vulnerable to episodes
of cyberbullying.
Distortion of Body image
With the rise in popularity of photo sharing apps such as Snapchat and Instagram children increasingly feel
under pressure to conform to the body beautiful images they see so, it’s important to talk to promote positive body
image and help children develop a critical thinking to question what they see online.
Top social networking and messaging apps popular with children
We’ve compiled a list of the most popular social networking and messaging apps that children are using and the
potential risks they may expose children to. You’ll also find links to relevant safety pages or independent third-party
articles and opinions with further information about specific apps.
Snapchat
Snapchat is a photo-sharing app where users can send photos or videos to their friends. These
will display on screen for up to ten seconds before being deleted, although it is possible to screenshot messages and
use other apps to capture the content. Snapchat could be used for messages of a sexual nature or also mean
messages. Learn how to set privacy settings with our “how-to” guide.
Cost: Free | Minimum age: 13

3. TikTok
TikTok is a popular social networking app that allows users to create, musical clips and short clips up
to 60 seconds and add special affects to them.
Cost: Free | Minimum age: 13
WhatsApp
Free-of-charge, real-time messaging. You can share images and videos, take part in ‘group chats’
and share locations. You can only message someone if you already know their telephone number.
Cost: Free | Minimum age: 16
Instagram
A photo-sharing app which allows you to edit photos and videos, upload them and share them
to other social networking sites. Photos and videos can be sent directly to friends.
Cost: Free | Minimum age: 13
Wellbeing Manager & Safeguarding Officer – Mrs Neale E: h.neale.bch@osborne.coop