Online Safety

What is e-safety?

The DfE describes e-safety as a school’s ability to safeguard, protect and educate pupils and staff in the acceptable use of technology and communications (including social media) as well as having established mechanisms in place to identify, intervene in and escalate any incident where appropriate.

There should be ‘a culture that incorporates the principles of online safety across all elements of school life’ and these should be communicated clearly with pupils, staff and parents.

Children should have a clear understanding of online safety rules and expectations, to be able to protect themselves and stay safe online.

E-Safety - ICT and the Internet

Information and communication technology (ICT) comprise a variety of systems that handle and allow the communication of electronically retrievable information. Computers are the most obvious of these but, ICT also includes programmable robots, calculators, cameras, video cameras, digital cameras, digital microscopes and television. Under the strands of computer science, information technology and digital literacy, pupils are taught about using computing systems & networks, how to program (including coding), data and information and creating media. With all the lessons taught, the paramount importance of e-safety is always taken into consideration. Years 1-6 participate in a discrete e-safety lesson every half term.

At school we have an Acceptable Use of ICT Agreement which is signed by parents/carers and children (over the age of 8) on admission.

All users and pupils’ parents have to agree to abide by the school’s code of conduct for electronic communications and internet use and a poster is displayed by all computers within the school to remind children of their agreement.

Parents and carers are reminded that although using computers to help with work and to play some games are beneficial to children, over use and compulsive use can be damaging. Children should at all times be monitored when using the internet and only use programmes and sites that are appropriate to their age and maturity.