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 only use the internet when an adult is with me.
  • I only click on links and buttons online when I know what they do. If I am not sure, I ask an adult first.
  • I keep my personal information and passwords safe.
  • I only send messages online which are polite and friendly.
  • I know the school can see what I am doing online when I use school computers/tablets.
  • I always tell a trusted adult if something online makes me feel upset, unhappy or worried. 
  • I can visit COEP Education 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.
  • I have read and talked about these rules with my parents/carers.

KS2

Online Safety Rules that I will follow in our community:

Safe

  • I will behave online the same way as I behave in the classroom.
  • I only send messages which are polite and friendly
  • I will only post pictures or videos on the internet if they are safe and appropriate, and if I have permission
  • I only talk with and open messages from people I know.
  • I will only click on links if I know they are safe 
  • I know that people I meet online may not always be who they say they are. If someone online suggests meeting up, I will immediately talk to an adult 

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 and search engines that my teacher has chosen.
  • I use the 10:10 Primary Federation devices for the 10:10 Primary Federation work unless I have permission otherwise.
  • I will not use any AI (Artificial Intelligence) programmes.
  • If I need to learn online at home, I will read and follow the school rules with my parent/carer, as well as follow the Federation’s home learning guidance below.

Trust

  • I know that not everything or everyone online is honest or truthful
  • I will check content on other sources like other websites, books or with a trusted adult 
  • I always credit the person or source that created any work, image or text I use

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.

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 monitored to help keep me safe, including 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 concerned about my or anyone else's safety or behaviour.

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, or someone sends me, something upsetting or unkind online.
  • I always talk to an adult if I’m not sure about something or if something happens online that makes me feel worried or frightened

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, to report something or to get help.