Online Safety

At our school, keeping children safe online is a top priority. The virtual world of the internet is a valuable tool for learning, creativity, and communication; it is an integral part of modern life. However, it also poses many dangers so it is important that children know how to use it safely and responsibly.

We teach online safety as part of our computing and PSHE curriculums as well as through special events and regular discussions in class. Children learn how to:

• Keep personal information private (such as their full name, address, and passwords)
• Use kind and respectful language online
• Recognise unsafe or inappropriate content
• Understand that not everything online is true
• Report anything that makes them feel uncomfortable or worried

Tips for Children

Advice for Parents and Carers

Parents and carers play an important role in supporting online safety at home. You can help by:

  • Talking regularly with your child about their online activity
  • Setting parental controls on devices, apps and your home internet
  • Keeping devices in shared family spaces where possible
  • Agreeing clear rules about screen time and internet use
  • Encouraging your child to come to you if they have concerns

Useful Information for Parents and Carers

Below are some links that you may find useful.  We hope that they will prove helpful in explaining some of the ways communication can be used, and in providing advice for guiding children’s use of the latest technologies. There are also a number of parent factfiles covering various platforms that children may use. They contain useful information about things you should be aware of.

Online safety is most effective when schools and families work together. By supporting children both at home and in school, we can help them become confident, responsible, and safe users of technology.

To ensure that all our children know how to keep safe on line we have produced acceptable use policies appropriate to the age of the children. These are shared annually in class and displayed. Please could you read these with your child. If you would like a paper copy, or have any further questions or concerns about online safety, please ask at the school office.

AUP-KS1
AUP-KS2
AUP-EYFS

There are many useful resources to provide information about how to keep your children safe online:

https://www.internetmatters.org/

https://www.ceopeducation.co.uk/parents/

https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/protecting-your-children-in-a-digital-world