Online Safety
Online Safety at The Federation of Follifoot & Spofforth CE Primary Schools
The internet has changed all of our lives, particularly our children’s. It is a wonderful tool but one which can potentially put children at risk if they are not taught how to stay safe on line.
At The Federation online safety is at the heart of our computing curriculum. Your children are taught how to stay safe on line. Our two key messages with regard to online safety for primary age pupils are as follows;
- Supervision. All pupils are appropriately supervised when using technology. This ensures they can ask questions if they come across anything they are unsure of. It also allows for the continued reinforcement of key safety messages. We recommend children of Primary school age are always fully supervised when using the internet.
- Confidence to speak openly and honestly. From nursery onwards children are taught and encouraged to clearly and honestly talk to adults. This ensures they are highly likely to discuss and report concerns or worries which is a major strategy in enabling them to stay safe.
Educating children on staying safe online is woven throughout our curriculum. Our computing curriculum is supported by Project Evolve
which provides a tool kit from Early Years to Year 6.
Support for parents
In order to promote the importance of online safety and help support parents and carers in keeping their children safe, please find attached our monthly online newsletter packed full of useful advice based on the latest guidance and information.
Please click on the monthly newsletters below to access further information:
Parental-Controls-booklet-2022
Online Safety Newsletter Primary December 2023
Online Safety Newsletter Primary January 2024_
Online Safety Newsletter Primary February 2024_
Online Safety Newsletter April 2024
Online Safety Newsletter May 2024
Please find a link to a Parent Online Safety booklet, which includes an overview of key parental controls.
https://www.knowsleyclcs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Parental-Controls-booklet-2023.pdf
Please click on the links below to access the annual ‘Acceptable Use of ICT’ agreement for both KS1 & KS2 children.
Key Stage 1 Acceptable Use Policy 2023
Key Stage 2 Acceptable Use Policy 2023
Children’s Devices – Internet Safety Advice
This advice applies to personal family devices or devices loaned by the school being used by children.
Supervision.
Supervising your child when they are using their device contributes to ensuring they are using it safely and only accessing appropriate content.
Talking and reassuring.
No filter or parental control tool is 100% effective, and many of the risks that children can face online are because of their own and other’s inquisitiveness. It is therefore important to talk to your children about staying safe online and make sure they know that they can turn to you if they get into any difficulty.
For anyone wanting advice on how to talk to their child in an age appropriate way about this topic we recommend;
‘Think You Know’ Internet Safety Parent Guidance
Internet Provider Parental Controls
All major internet providers will provide parental control options allowing parents to control content accessed and even the time spent on the device. We recommend the internet provider parental controls are enabled and set to the highest possible level of control.
The best place to start is to look at the information provided by your broadband provider.
The UK Safer Internet Website also has guides on this for those using BT, Virgin Media, Sky and Talk Talk.
CBBC have some great games and videos. Test your internet safety knowledge with Hacker, listen to some Stay Safe songs with Helen Skelton.
Our schools regularly works with the NSPCC to deliver the stay safe message. Their website has useful advice for parents.
A valuable resource for anyone who wishes to discuss a problem.
This is part of the CEOP website which has some of the very best advice and guidance for parents and children. It is an excellent resource which is divided into sections and contains large amounts of information, games and resources about internet and mobile phone safety issues.
This is an interactive way of teaching young people how to recognize dangers and increase self-confidence whenever they go online. Includes games and puzzles.
A great site for teaching children how to be safe surfers. The KidSmart poster (Click Here) is a good way of remembering the 5 key messages.
Child Safe Search Engines
These are links to search engines that are considered safe for children:
http://www.safesearchkids.com/
Other Useful Links
Click here for advice on how to turn on Parental Controls.
Click here for new CEOP Resource about Selfies
School Online Safety Policy.
This is incorporated into our Safeguarding policy which can be found in the policies section of our school website.
Further Reading
For further information, please click on the links below to download the following documents.
- Federation of Follifoot & Spofforth CE Primary Schools Children ICT & e-Safety Information for parents
- Keeping Young Children Safe Online
- Supporting Young People Online
Please click on the links below that are referenced in the above information:
Keeping-Young-Children-Safe-Online_1
