New Start Centre recognised for its commitment to providing safe remote education

21 December 2022

An education setting based in Brecon has demonstrated its commitment to providing high-quality remote education, keeping children and young people safe online and supporting pupil wellbeing, having completed a comprehensive remote education training programme.

The New Start Centre, Powys County Council's Pupil Referral Unit in Brecon, has been awarded National Online Safety's Safe Remote Education Accreditation for its successful approach towards safeguarding children and supporting pupil wellbeing during remote teaching and learning.

National Online Safety is a multi-award-winning digital training provider with extensive resources in online safety.

Its Continuing Professional Development accredited courses and educational resources support UK schools in educating the whole school community in online safety- including all senior leaders, teachers, all school staff and parents - on how to make the internet a safer place for children.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: "Safeguarding pupils and supporting their wellbeing during phases of remote teaching and learning is a vital to a pupil's continued development so I'm delighted that the New Start Centre has received this award.

"The online environment offers a wealth of potential information which learners can draw on. However, they need to know how to navigate this safely.  This award exemplifies the partnership approach to ensuring the internet is a safer place for our learners."

James Southworth, co-founder of National Online Safety, said: "By completing our training programme, New Start Centre has shown its strong commitment to implementing the most effective approach to delivering remote education.

"It can be increasingly difficult for schools to keep up with expectations surrounding remote education to ensure both children and staff follow the necessary safeguarding protocols and know how to spot any potential wellbeing issues. We've armed schools with the knowledge they need to understand their responsibilities and how to react in the best way possible to any problems."