Online Safety
What are the issues?
The internet – on the whole is an inspiring and positive place.
The internet is an amazing resource which enables children and young 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 sometimes 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.
Organisations and websites offering further information and support for online safety:
Play Like Share –
Play Like Share follows the adventures of Sam, Ellie and Alfie as they form a band and enter their school’s Battle of the Bands contest, taking on the mean but ‘cool’ Popcorn Wizards as they go. The three friends learn that while the internet can help, they need to use it wisely and safely.
The aim of the films is to help 8-10 year olds learn how to stay safe online. In particular, the films teach them to spot the early signs of manipulative, pressurising and threatening behaviour by people they might meet online, and develops their confidence to respond safely and get help.
Be Share Aware –
Keep your child safe online
We tell our children it’s good to share – but online it’s different. In fact sometimes sharing online can be dangerous. Being Share Aware will help keep your child safe online.
Watch and share a short film and take a look at some straightforward advice that will untangle the web, and give parents confidence in talking to their children about how to stay safe online.
Issues
Advice
‘Support for Early Career Teachers: The school supports early career teachers with training from subject leaders.’
‘Student Responsibility and Community Engagement: Year 6 pupils are given responsibilities, such as being ‘dinner buddies’ and leading celebration assemblies.’
‘Effective Phonics Teaching: Reading books match the taught sounds, and additional support is provided for pupils needing extra help.’
‘Governance and Safeguarding: Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with consistent training and comprehensive incident logging.’
‘Well-Planned Curriculum: Curriculum leaders have developed knowledge organisers to identify key knowledge, skills, and vocabulary, which are shared with families and pupils.’
‘Governance and Safeguarding: Governors have a strong understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement, effectively supporting and challenging the school leadership.’
‘Effective Phonics Teaching: The school is considering a new phonics program to maintain high-quality teaching.’
‘Happy and Safe Environment: Pupils feel happy and safe at school, working cooperatively and responding well to teachers’ instructions. They perceive the behavior policy as fair and report that bullying is rare.’
‘Effective Phonics Teaching: The phonics leader ensures consistent teaching of phonics across the school.’
‘Student Responsibility and Community Engagement: The school offers numerous lunchtime and after-school clubs, fostering interests in sports and creative arts.’
‘Enthusiastic Curriculum Leaders: Curriculum leaders have clear visions for their subjects, with PE and mathematics leaders investing in schemes to support teachers.’
‘Wider Development Opportunities: The school promotes pupils’ wider development through opportunities beyond the curriculum, such as links with a school in Uganda, debates, sustainability awareness, and diverse role models.’
‘Support for Early Career Teachers: An emotional literacy support assistant has been employed to enhance the special educational needs and disabilities team, providing valuable support to parents and pupils.’
‘Well-Planned Curriculum: The school has redesigned its curriculum to build on existing knowledge, with all teachers responsible for specific areas.’
‘Enthusiastic Curriculum Leaders: Pupils, including those with special needs, benefit from scaffolded tasks and appropriately pitched work.’
‘Student Responsibility and Community Engagement: Pupils also engage in community activities, like making Christmas food hampers and starting a road safety campaign.’
