ONLINE SAFETY
At Orleans Primary School, we recognise the importance of the internet and take online safety extremely seriously. As a Rights Respecting School, we understand that children’s access to the Internet today is intrinsically tied to their rights; particularly Articles 13 and 17. We also understand that since 2020, children’s access to the Internet and digital devices has transformed, allowing them to communicate and learn online as they never have before. However, with this in mind, understanding and being aware of the risks that the Internet and digital devices can pose has never been of more importance.
We believe that it is the right of all children to feel safe and secure when using technology. We work with staff, pupils and parents/carers to value the use of new technologies in enhancing learning, encourage responsible use of the Internet and digital devices and follow agreed policies to minimise potential online safety risk.
We discuss, monitor and review our online safety policy on a regular basis, linking it with other relevant policies such as Safeguarding, Behaviour and Anti-Bullying policies. We support staff in the use of the Internet and digital devices as essential tools for enhancing learning and the embedding of online safety across the whole school curriculum.
ONLINE SAFETY TOP TIPS
At Orleans Primary School, we encourage children to responsibly access digital and online technology. During the first half-term, the children focus on Online Safety and are encouraged to discuss: the benefits to accessing the Internet; how to be responsible online; and any potential risks associated with the use of the Internet. This allows the children to feel confident and safe to report incidents if they do occur.
To support children to feel confident using the Internet at home, here are our top tips:
- Keep their digital devices in a family space not in a child’s bedroom.
- Use a ‘child lock’ or Parental Controls on your Web browser; devices and broadband - and to save these with a strong password.
- Regularly supervise your child and the sites that they are visiting.
- Discourage your child from using Social Media until they are of the appropriate age - at which point support and supervise their use of these.
- Teach your child to tell you if something happens that they are uncomfortable with or unsure about. This is what we teach them to do in school.
- Agree with your children about which websites they are allowed to access.
- Remind your children to keep personal information private.
- Encourage your children to talk to you about their use of the Internet, open discussions support children to feel safe and confident to seek help if they need it.
REMOTE LEARNING
At Orleans Primary School we utilise the Google Classroom platform for our online and remote learning. The staff work hard to ensure that the learning environment is not only beneficial and effective for the children’s education but is also a safe environment for them to use.
Please see the Top Tips for Remote Learning at the bottom of the page.
ONLINE SAFETY INFORMATION AND TRAINING
The school has age appropriate online safety training for pupils, we also hold online safety sessions for parents, staff and governors which are presented by Peter Cowley (the Achieving for Children Lead Adviser for Online Services and Safety).
Peter Cowley, the former Achieving for Children Lead Adviser for Online Services and Safety, has put together two incredibly useful short videos for parents on keeping their children safe online which are linked here.
Further information can be found below:
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Orleans Primary Online Safety Policy: Click here to view policy
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Think You Know - Further information on online safety.
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Safer Schools: Further and regularly updated information on online safety can be found on the safer schools website: https://oursafetycentre.co.uk/
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CEOP button: The CEOP button below provides a link to support the NCA's (National Crime Agency) CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) Command which provides support to children and young people focused around online problems which people might face. You can report any problems directly to CEOP, by clicking the Click CEOP button below.