Online Safety

At our school, we recognise the importance of teaching children how to stay safe online. With most young people accessing the internet from a variety of devices both at home and school, safe and responsible use of the internet is an essential part of our Personal Development Curriculum. This is reinforced in assemblies and during Impact Days to ensure children understand the potential risks and how to navigate the digital world safely.

Our staff receive regular training on safeguarding and online safety to ensure they are equipped to support children and handle any concerns that may arise. We have clear Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) for both staff and pupils, outlining the expectations for responsible online behaviour.

In school, we use Smoothwall for filtering and monitoring internet activity across our network, helping protect children from harmful content and inappropriate online behaviour. This ensures that the internet is a safe environment for children when using school devices.

Supporting Parents and Carers

We encourage parents to play an active role in their child’s online safety and to be aware of the risks associated with unsupervised internet access, especially on mobile devices. A good practice is to have children use the internet in communal areas where their activity can be monitored.

To support parents and carers, we have provided links to several trusted resources that offer advice on setting up parental controls, managing online behaviour, and staying informed about the latest apps, games, and social media platforms.

• Thinkyouknow: Advice from the National Crime Agency to help children stay safe online.
• Internet Matters: Support for parents and carers on online safety.
• Parent Info: Expert advice to help parents keep children safe online.
• LGfL: Resources and support for parents from the London Grid for Learning.
• Net Aware: NSPCC guide to apps, games, and social media platforms.
• National Online Safety: Free, up-to-date advice on safeguarding issues related to the internet.
• CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command): Advice and reporting concerns about online child exploitation.
• UK Safer Internet Centre: Tips, advice, and resources for supporting online safety.
• NSPCC - Online Safety: Comprehensive advice covering social media, gaming, and cyberbullying.
• Common Sense Media: Reviews and advice on apps, games, movies, and shows to help parents understand content.
• Internet Watch Foundation (IWF): A reporting tool for illegal online content, particularly concerning child exploitation.
• O2 and NSPCC Online Safety Hub: Helpline for advice on setting up parental controls and managing online safety. 

By working together, we can help ensure that all children stay safe online and develop the skills to navigate the internet responsibly. If you have any concerns or require further advice, don’t hesitate to contact the school.