At Blundeston CEVC Primary School, we recognise the wonderful learning opportunity provided by the online world and we want our children to be able to explore it safely and confidently.  Online safety is a part of the curriculum and forms a part of the overarching Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

As staff, we; 

• Receive regular updates from the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Online Safety Lead

• Have a healthy curiosity for online safety issues

• Model safe, responsible and professional behaviours in our own use of technology

• Encourage sensible use of technology and monitor what pupils are doing 

• Carefully supervise and guide pupils when engaged in learning activities involving online technology, supporting them with search skills, critical thinking (e.g. fake news), age-appropriate materials and signposting, and legal issues such as copyright and data law

• Teach online safety as part of the computing and RSE curriculum

• Identify opportunities to thread online safety through all school activities, both outside the classroom and within the curriculum, supporting subject leaders, and making the most of unexpected learning opportunities (which have a unique value for pupils) as they arise

• Take a zero-tolerance approach to cyberbullying

• Record any concerns around online safety 

• Notify the DSL/Online Safety Leads of new trends and issues before they become a problem

We support our pupils to: 

• Read, understand and adhere to their Acceptable Use of Technology Policy 

• Know the implications of misusing the internet and posting inappropriate materials to websites, as this may have legal implications; 

• Understand the importance of reporting abuse, misuse or access to inappropriate materials; 

• Understand the importance of adopting safe and responsible behaviours and good online safety practice when using digital technologies outside of school; 

• Understand that the school also has the right to take action against them if they are involved in incidents of inappropriate behaviour that involve the pupils’ membership of the school community

• Have a good understanding of research skills and the need to avoid plagiarism and uphold copyright regulations; 

• Understand the benefits/opportunities and risks/dangers of the online world and know who to talk to at school or outside school if there are any problems or concerns. 

We encourage our parents/carers to: 

• Read, understand and adhere the school’s Parent/Carer Acceptable Use of Technology Policy and read their child’s Acceptable Use of Technology Policy and encourage them to follow it

• Consult with the school if they have any concerns about their children’s and others’ use of technology

• Set up parental controls on devices

• Ensure their children do not have access to age-inappropriate apps and games (paying attention to the age limits for social media sites such as Facebook and Whatsapp, as well as the PEGI ratings for games); 

• Promote safe search engines such as swiggle.org.uk and kids-search.com;

• Talk with their children about online safety and agree boundaries for their online activity and monitor it

• Promote the appropriate use of digital images and videos taken at school events

• Promote positive online safety and model safe, responsible and positive behaviours in their own use of technology, including on social media

• Be responsible for reporting any concerns to the relevant bodies: app/website/game admin, DSL, CEOPs, NSPCC, Childline, Online Safety Lead etc.  

Useful links regarding online safety reporting and support:

https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/ 

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

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/

Useful guides for parental controls and apps:

https://saferinternet.org.uk/online-issue/parental-controls