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E-Safety

Using the internet and mobile devices has become part of everyday life. We recognise the enormous value these technologies have in helping our pupils learn and function effectively in the 21st Century.

With these opportunities comes the need to protect our pupils from the associated risks. We take e-Safety very seriously. In addition to taking steps such as web filtering, E-safety is an integral part of children’s education in today’s digital world, and is embedded in their learning at school. We educate our pupils about the risks they face on-line and how they can protect themselves.

A key part of our e-Safety strategy is to help parents/carers become more informed so that they feel better equipped to support their children and keep them safe on-line. One way in which we do this is by providing information in our newsletter.

At Home

As a parent you will know how important the internet is to children – they use it to learn, play, socialise and express themselves. It’s a highly creative place of amazing opportunities. However, the technology children use every day can seem a bit daunting and you might worry about the risks your child can face online – such as bullying, contact from strangers of the possibility that your child might see inappropriate or illegal content.

Or you can engage with your children regarding their use of the internet while at home.  Here are some conversation starter ideas:

• Ask your child to tell you about the sites they like to visit and what they enjoy doing online
• Ask them about how they stay safe online. What tips do they have for you, and where did they learn them? What is OK and not OK to share?
• Ask them if they know where to go for help, where to find the safety advice, privacy settings and how to report or block the services that they use
• Encourage them to help. Perhaps they can show you how to do something better online or they might have a friend who would benefit from their help and support
• Think about how you use the internet as a family. What could you do to get more out of the internet together and further enjoy yourselves online?

At School

As part of your child’s curriculum and the development of ICT skills, we provide access to the internet only in teacher supervised lessons. We strongly believe that the use of the web and email is hugely worthwhile and an essential tool for children as they grow up in the modern world. But because there are always concerns about children having access to undesirable materials, we have taken positive steps to deal with this risk in school. Our school internet access provider operates a filtering system that restricts access to inappropriate materials.

At the start of the school year, each class discusses how we can all stay safe online and the dangers we may face on the internet. We then ask every child in Key Stage 2, from Year 3 upwards, to sign an Acceptable Use Agreement so that we know they have read and understood our school's rules on staying safe. A copy of the Key Stage 2 Acceptable Use Policy can be downloaded below.

We also have an Acceptable Use Agreement for our younger children and we ask all parents to sign this on your child’s behalf when they start school in Key Stage 1. You can download a copy of the Key Stage 1 Acceptable Use Policy below.

For more information please read our Online Safety Policy which can be found with our policies.

Internet Safety Resources

There are a number of useful websites that contain easily accessible information and guidance about e-Safety.

• Childnet
  A resource for parents and children. Click here to watch an interactive video on how to keep your child safe online.

• Think U Know
  A Home Office site for pupils and parents, explaining internet dangers and how to stay in control.

• Internet Matters
  Advice on: cyberbullying, how to talk to your children about internet safety and quick guides to different types of social media such as Instagram and Snapchat

• NSPCC Net Aware
  Provides useful information on social networks.

• The National Crime Agency Command CEOP Police site
  Enables you to report any concerns about online communications.