With technology updating so quickly and becoming so much cheaper, it is fantastic that we now have the world at our fingertips and can learn in new and engaging ways. However, we have to make sure we are using new technology safely and appropriately and that our children are aware of the dangers of chatting online or sharing personal information.

As part of our PSHE curriculum, we discuss how to stay safe online. In Computing we teach an online safety unit to all pupils each year explaining and demonstrating how to stay safe and behave appropriately online. We also start each computing lesson with an e-safety reminder. 

Resources to help parents:

There is a safer search engine (just like Google but heavily restricted) which is recommended by CEOP called Swiggle - please use this with your children at home for research. We are planning on using this in school, so the children will soon be familiar with it.  http://www.swiggle.org.uk

For younger children, there is a story called 'Smartie the Penguin' which raises issues in a way that young children can relate to.

Resources available for older KS1 children  'Hector's World' - a series of cartoons about online safety and sharing 'personal information'. You can access the videos here: http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/5_7/hectorsworld

And some interactive activities here: www.hectorsworld.com/island/index.html

Also take a look at this website on Safer Internet usage.

Please come into school if you have any concerns at all. Our Computing Lead is Miss Richards, but any member of staff will be happy to help.

Top Tips

• Always ask a grown up before you use the internet. They can help you find the best thing to do.
• Don’t tell strangers where you live, your phone number or where you go to school. Only your friends and family need to know that.
• Don’t send pictures to people you don’t know. You don’t want strangers looking at photos of you, your friends or your family.
• Tell a grown up if you feel scared or unhappy about anything.
• You can also call ‘Childline’ on: 08001111 to talk to someone who can help.

We have extensive security measures in place in school, which are monitored both internally and externally, to help safeguard pupils from potential dangers or unsuitable material. Any Online-Safety incidents are recorded and managed in accordance with our E-Safety Policy.

Guidance for Parents can be found following this link.