New safety campaign to empower children

The scheme is looking to move away from the traditional '˜stranger danger' approach and look to create a more balanced perspective between children staying safe and still enjoying their natural instincts to explore.

The key message set out in the scheme states: '˜One of the biggest challenges facing any parent is how to give your child enough freedom to learn for themselves whist fulfilling that most basic parental duty to keep your kids safe.'

Entitled '˜Clever Never Goes', the scheme has been piloted over the last 18 months at a range of schools including Crofton Hammond Infant School.

Headteacher, Jacky Halton, said: '˜The children at my school have really been ' wowed' by the programme. It is all about moving away from the fear instilled by 'stranger danger' and empowering children to be safe without necessarily being scared.

'˜The key principle we teach the children is that if nothing has been pre-arranged then you don't go,' added Ms Halton.  

The syllabus has been delivered by teaching staff as part of the school's safeguarding programme and revolves around an a robot called Clever.

Resources to support both parents and teachers in the delivery of the programme are available at the '˜Clever never Goes' website.