Online Safety

Online Safety and Acceptable Use of technology

Online Safety is an important part of keeping children safe. Our school has extensive and robust security measures in place in school, which are monitored both internally and externally, to help safeguard our pupils from potential dangers or unsuitable material.
Any Online incidents are dealt with in accordance with our Online Safety Policy. 
Online Safety and Acceptable Use of Technology is taught to all pupils at age appropriate levels. It explains and demonstrates how to stay safe and behave appropriately online.

These are our School Online Safety Rules – please do discuss them with your child:

EYFS/KS1

• I only use the internet when an adult is with me and I have been given permission
• I only click on links and buttons when I know what they do
• I will only use websites that an adult has chosen
• I keep my personal information and passwords safe online
• I only send messages online which are polite and friendly
• I will never give out personal information or usernames and passwords
• I will never arrange to meet anyone I have only communicated with online or I don’t know
• I know the school can see what I am doing online
• I only use software and applications on school laptops and tablets that my teacher has asked me to use
• I always tell an adult/teacher if something online makes me feel unhappy or worried
• I will either close the laptop/tablet lid if I see anything I am uncomfortable with.

KS2

• I always ask permission from an adult before using the internet
• I only use websites and search engines that my teacher has chosen
• I use my school computers for school work unless I have permission otherwise
• My own personal devices/mobile phone is not permitted in school.
• I know that not everything or everyone online is honest or truthful and will check content on other sources like other websites, books or with a trusted adult
• I always credit the person or source that created any work, image or text I use.
• I will try and maintain a balance between the use of ICT and other activities.
• I only talk with and open messages from people I know and I only click on links if I know they are safe
• I always talk to an adult if I’m not sure about something or if something happens online that makes me feel worried or frightened
• I only send messages which are polite and friendly
• I keep my personal information safe and private online. I will protect myself by never telling anyone my address, my telephone number, my school’s name or by sending a picture of myself without permission from a teacher or other adult.
• I will treat my username/password like my toothbrush! This means I will not share it with anyone (even my best friend), and I will log off when I have finished using the computer or device
• I will not access or change other peoples files or information
• I will only change the settings on a school computer/tablet if a teacher/technician has allowed me to
• I understand that the school’s internet filter is there to protect me, and I will not try to bypass it.
• I know that people I meet online may not always be who they say they are. If someone online suggests meeting up, I will immediately talk to an adult
• If I receive unpleasant, rude or bullying emails or messages I will report them to a teacher or other adult. I will not delete them straight away, but instead, keep them so I can show them to the person I am reporting it to.
• I will always be myself and not pretend to be anyone or anything I am not. I know that posting anonymous messages or pretending to be someone else is not allowed.
• I discuss my use of the Internet and those sites that are age specific, especially Social Network sites and talk with their parents or carers about the rules for the safe use of the Internet.
• I am aware that the school may investigate e-safety incidents that happen outside of school, but could have an effect on the school.
• If I see anything online that I shouldn’t or that makes me feel worried or upset then I will minimise the page (eg on a tablet)/close the laptop lid and tell an adult straight away.
• I know that being responsible means that I should not look for bad language, inappropriate images or violent or unsuitable games
• I know that my use of school computers including laptops/tablets and Internet access will be monitored.
• If I am aware of anyone being unsafe with technology then I will report it to a teacher
• I can visit www.thinkuknow.co.uk and www.childline.org.uk to learn more about keeping safe online
• I will use the computer, network, internet access and other technologies in a responsible way at all times and only for tasks related to my learning.
• I know that network and internet access may be monitored.

We can only be successful in keeping children safe online if we work together to ensure the Online Safety message is consistent. It is important that parents speak regularly to their children about how they can keep safe and behave appropriately online, particularly as the world of ‘Cyberspace’ is such an ever changing and fast moving aspect of modern living.

It is essential to be realistic – banning the internet or technology will not work and it can make children less likely to report a problem. Our philosophy is one which educates our pupils around safe use so that they are equipped to keep themselves safe and are aware of potential dangers to their safety and well-being.

We ensure all of our children are aware that they can report any material they come across on the internet or any use of the internet which worries them via CEOP which is the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and On-line Protection centre.

Parents and families can use this site too to make a report and we include regular updates of this and other useful resources for families in our weekly newsletters throughout the year.

We recommend parents keep informed of Online-safety issues and understand their child’s use of the internet, whatever their age.
Useful information to help parents and children is also available on the ‘Thinkuknow’ website.

There is a very good resource called ‘Digital Parenting’, also featured in our school newsletters, which is an online magazine, produced by Vodafone each month. It covers many questions or concerns about how to help your child use the internet safely. There is also a wealth of additional material in the website links below which are also recommended by KCC’s Online Safety Officer:
Saferinternet.org Childline Getsafeonline Knowthenet Pitda InternetmattersNetaware NSPCC Google family safety