We are committed to ensuring that all of our pupils are able to use electronic media without putting themselves or anybody else at risk.
We will provide information and guidance to pupils, parents and carers on how to use electronic media safely. We will ensure that pupils are safe when using electronic media in school and we will pass on any information that we suspect indicates that a member of our community is at risk through their use of electronic media.

We have a link to the National College which provides free, extensive guidance on various Online Issues. You can access via the following link Online Safety Guides & Resources for Parents (nationalcollege.com) or if you contact our safeguarding team we can provide you a direct link to log in as a parent.

What is online safety

Online safety or E-Safety is a term which means not only the internet but other ways in which young people communicate using electronic media, e.g. mobile phones.  It means ensuring that children and young people are protected from harm and supported to achieve the maximum benefit from new and developing technologies without risk to themselves or others.

If you are worried about your child please click on the link below for more information and advice.

Think U Know - Information about how to stay safe online  http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk

The internet – an inspiring and positive place
The internet is an amazing resource which enables people to connect, communicate and be creative in a number of different ways, on a range of devices. However, the internet is always changing, and being able to keep up to date with your children’s use of technology can be a challenge. You may feel that your children have better technical skills than you do, however children and young people still need advice and protection when it comes to managing their lives online.

Issues that your child may encounter on the internet will vary depending on their age and online activities. We have grouped potential online risks into these four categories. Expand each heading for more information.

Conduct
Children need to be aware of the impact that their online activity can have on both themselves and other people, and the digital footprint that they create on the internet. It’s easy to feel anonymous online and it’s important that children are aware of who is able to view, and potentially share, the information that they may have posted. When using the internet, it’s important to keep personal information safe and not share it with strangers. Discuss with your child the importance of reporting inappropriate conversations, messages, images and behaviours and how this can be done.

Content
Some online content is not suitable for children and may be hurtful or harmful. This is true for content accessed and viewed via social networks, online games, blogs and websites. It’s important for children to consider the reliability of online material and be aware that it might not be true or written with a bias. Children may need your help as they begin to assess content in this way.

There can be legal consequences for using or downloading copyrighted content, without seeking the author’s permission.

Contact
It is important for children to realise that new friends made online may not be who they say they are and that once a friend is added to an online account, you may be sharing your personal information with them. Regularly reviewing friends lists and removing unwanted contacts is a useful step. Privacy settings online may also allow you to customise the information that each friend is able to access. 

If you have concerns that your child is, or has been, the subject of inappropriate sexual contact or approach by another person, it’s vital that you report it to the police via the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (www.ceop.police.uk). If your child is the victim of cyberbullying, this can also be reported online and offline. Reinforce with your child the importance of telling a trusted adult straight away if someone is bullying them or making them feel uncomfortable, or if one of their friends is being bullied online. Please contact your child’s Head of House if you have any questions or need any advice.

Commercialism
Young people’s privacy and enjoyment online can sometimes be affected by advertising and marketing schemes, which can also mean inadvertently spending money online, for example within applications. Encourage your children to keep their personal information private, learn how to block both pop ups and spam emails, turn off in-app purchasing on devices where possible, and use a family email address when filling in online forms.

The best support you can give your child to navigate online safety starts with open dialogue with them.

Below are a number of places you can access to keep informed.

Home - eSafety Training
Online Safety Leaflets & resources - Internet Matters
Keeping children safe online | NSPCC
Parents and Carers - UK Safer Internet Centre
Child Safety Online: A practical guide for parents and carers whose children are using social media - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)