Online Safety

  

Online Safety for Pupils

The Internet is an amazing thing!  You know that we use the Internet in school on a regular basis as part of our teaching and learning.  Every year, each class creates a 'class charter' - a signed agreement co-constructed to reflect the children's understanding of safe internet use and appropriate online behaviours.  We also deliver regular online safety activities, as well as core units as part of the computing and PSHE curriculum, to remind children of the importance of keeping themselves safe whilst online.
Here is some advice for using the Internet safely:

  •     Always ask permission before using the Internet.
  •     Only send e-mails to your friends.
  •     Only go to Internet sites that you know are safe.
  •     Be careful what you type into a search engine.
  •     Never tell anyone your name, address, telephone number or school over the Internet, including when gaming.
  •      Always use an avatar, not a photo, when setting up a profile.
  •     Always tell a trusted adult if you are upset by something you see on the Internet - remember, ALWAYS TELL, TELL, TELL!

 

Our computer network at school is safeguarded against inappropriate content. Unfortunately, computers at home might not have the same level of safety. Always follow the advice above when you are using the Internet. That way, you will stay safe whilst also protecting those around you.

Click on any of these links to find out more about how to keep safe on the Internet.

http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

https://www.childnet.com

https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/ 

 

Parents & Carers

The Internet is an essential element in 21st century life for education and social interaction. The school has a duty to provide students with quality Internet access as part of their learning experience.

At Ash Grove Academy, we take all reasonable measures to make sure that your children are able to use the Internet safely, including the use of rigorous filtering and monitoring processes that are in line with the DfE Standards outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023.

For full details of our approach to online safety, please see our Online Safety Policy below.  This is also listed in the school website's Policies section.

As a parent or carer, you will know how important the Internet is to children - they use it to learn, play, socialise and express themselves.  It's a highly creative place of amazing opportunities.  But the technology children use every day can seem a bit daunting, and you might worry about the risks your child can face online - such as bullying, contact from strangers, or the possibility of them seeing illegal or inappropriate content.  The best way to help your children stay safe online is to be interested in their online journey.  You can engage with your children regarding their use of the Internet by using some of these conversation starter ideas from www.childnet.com

  • Ask your children to tell you about the sites they like to visit and what they enjoy doing online.
  • Ask them about how they stay safe online. What tips do they have for you, and where did they learn them? What is OK and not OK to share?
  • Ask them if they know where to go for help, where to find the safety advice, privacy settings and how to report or block on the services they use.
  • Encourage them to help. Perhaps they can show you how to do something better online, or they might have a friend who would benefit from their help and support.
  • Think about how you use the Internet as a family. What could you do to get more out of the Internet together and further enjoy your lives online?

Privacy settings are an important part of keeping our young children safe, and you can find out more information about them here.

Further online safety advice for parents can be found in the safeguarding section of the school website.

Useful websites

http://parentinfo.org/

http://www.safeinternet.org.uk

http://www.childnet.com

http://www.internetmatters.org/advice/6-10/resources/

https://www.betterinternetforkids.eu/

 

IPhone, IPad and IPod

http://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201304

 

Android 

https://dataprot.net/guides/parental-controls-on-android/

 

Email

  • Pupils may only use approved email accounts on the school system.  They must immediately tell a teacher if they receive offensive email.
  • Pupils must not reveal personal details of themselves or others in email communication, or arrange to meet anyone without specific permission.
  • Emails sent to an external organisation should be written carefully and authorised before sending, in the same way as a letter would be written on school headed paper.

The forwarding of chain emails is not permitted.

 

School website

Pupils’ full names will not be used anywhere on the website or any school blog posts or Tweets, particularly in association with photographs.  Staff or pupils’ personal information will not be published.  

 

Social networking

All children at Ash Grove are below the age of 13, which is the age determined to be suitable for accessing social media pages according to UK Government guidance.   Whilst we recognise that many children will access social media with the full agreement of their parents and carers, we have a duty of care to ensure that children are taught the advantages and disadvantages of these online sharing sites, as well as ways to ensure their safety whilst using them.

Children who have their parents' or carers' permission to access any social networking sites or video sharing sites at home may find these simple steps helpful to keep themselves safe whilst online:

  • Set the highest security so that your details, picture etc cannot be seen by just anybody.
  • Use a made-up name so that only people that you really know you can find you, and use an avatar NOT photos as your profile picture.
  • Only accept people that you really know as 'friends'.  Remember, just because someone says that they are a child on the Internet doesn't mean they really are!
  • Make sure you block anyone you don't know or who you are worried about, as well as anyone who you feel behaves in an inappropriate or antisocial way.

Parents and Carers can find more advice about being social and safe online by clicking here.

Authorising Internet access

All children must have returned a form signed by their parent / carer before they are able to use the Internet in school.  These forms are sent out to families at the start of every school year.  Additional copies are available from the school office.