Goudhurst & Kilndown Church of England Primary School

Online Safety

Introduction

As educators we value the use of the internet as a teaching and learning tool; indeed internet use is part of the statutory curriculum and widely regarded as an important tool for learning.  The internet is a part of everyday life for education, business and social interaction and we feel the school has a duty to provide students with quality internet access as part of their learning experience. However we are well informed of the safeguarding issues around the use of the internet and have developed a school policy for this to help children to learn how to evaluate internet information and to take care of their own safety and security on-line.   At the heart of children learning to be safe online is Google's 'Internet Legends' programme.

 Online Safety 

Online safety content is embedded in our Child Protection Policy. Our Acceptable Use Policy for EYFS and Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 includes a parental agreement and an agreement for children to sign and parents to endorse, outlining our online safety rules.

We ensure all of our children are aware that they can report any material they come across on the internet or any use of the internet which worries them via CEOP which is the National Crime Agency's Child Exploitation and On-line Protection centre and parents and families can use this too to make a report.  We recommend parents keep informed of e-safety issues and understand their child's use of the internet, whatever their age, and parents can find useful information to help them with this through CEOP Education and Childline.

There is a really good resource called 'Digital Parenting' which is produced by Vodafone monthly and covers many questions or concerns about how to help your child use the internet (which is a wonderful resource) safely. Please follow the link here to the online magazine.  There is also a wealth of additional material in these other websites as recommended by KCC's Online Safety Officer:

Useful Links

Online Safety Rules

Please read these with your child at home:

EYFS & KS1

  • I understand that the school rules will keep me safe and happy when I go online
  • I only go online when a grown up is with me.
  • I only click on online things online when I know what they do. If I am not sure, I ask a grown-up first.
  • I keep my personal information and passwords safe.
  • I only send polite and friendly messages online. 
  • I know the school can see what I am doing online when I use school computers/tablets, including if I use them at home.
  • If I see something online that makes me feel upset, unhappy or worried, I will always tell a grown up.
  • I can visit www.ceopeducation.co.uk to learn more about keeping safe online.
  • I know that if I do not follow the rules, I may not be allowed to use the technology and my parent/carer may be told. 
  • I have read and talked about these rules with my parent/carer. 

KS2

Online Safety Rules that I will follow in our community:

Safe

  • I will be kind and respectful online, just like I am in school.
  • I only send messages which are polite and friendly
  • I will only share pictures or videos online if they are safe, kind and I have asked for permission first. 
  • I will only click on links if a trusted adult says they are safe. 
  • I know that people online might not be who they say they are. I will only chat with people I know or who a trusted adult says are safe. 
  • If someone online asks to meet me, I will tell a trusted adult straight away.  

Learning

  • I will use school technology (laptops, tablets, cameras etc) and any software/programmes (including those that are web-based) safely and respectfully to support my learning.
  • If the school has agreed with my parent/carer that I am allowed to bring a personal device (mobile phone) to school, I will hand it in to the school office for safe keeping at the beginning of the day.
  • I always ask permission from an adult before using the internet.
  • I only use websites, tools and/or search engines that my teacher has chosen or given me permission to use.
  • I use school devices for school work unless I have permission otherwise.
  • If I need to learn online at home, I will follow the same rules in this policy. 

Trust

  • I know that some things or people online might not be honest or truthful. 
  • If I'm not sure something online is true, I will check with other websites, books or a trusted adult. 
  • I always credit the person or source that created any work, image or text I use
  • I will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools safely and sensibly. I won't use them to cheat, copy other people's work or say anything unkind. I know that AI tools can sometimes make mistakes. I will only use them when a teacher or trusted adult says it's okay. 

Responsible

  • I keep my personal information safe and private online
  • I will keep my passwords safe and will not share them with anyone
  • I will not access or change other people’s files or information
  • I will only change the settings on a device if a member of staff has allowed me to 
  • I know that if I do not follow the school rules then I may not be allowed to use the technology.

 

Tell

  • If I see anything online that I should not or if I see something online that makes me feel worried or upset, I will close the chromebook screen/turn over the tablet (screen down) and tell a trusted adult immediately. If I am aware of anyone being unsafe with technology, I will report it to a teacher/adult at school.
  • I know it is not my fault if I see something upsetting or unkind online.
  • If I'm not sure about something online or it makes me feel worried or scared, I will talk to a trusted adult. 

Understand

  • I understand that the school internet filter is there to protect me, and I will not try to bypass it. 
  • I know that all school owned devices and networks are checked/monitored to help keep me safe, even if I use them at home. This means someone at the school may be able to see and/or check my online activity when I use school devices and/or networks if they are worried about my or anyone else's safety or behaviour.
  • If, for any reason, I need to bring a personal device, like a mobile phone and/or other wearable technology into school then I must hand it in to the office and then collect it at the end of the school day.

I have read and talked about these rules with my parents/carers

I can visit CEOP Education or Childline to learn more about being safe online or to seek help. 

I know that if I do not follow the school rules, then I may not be able to use the technology in school and my parent/carer may be informed.