Online Safety

As computer and other communications technologies have developed, new dangers have emerged for all those who use them. 

Schools have a duty of care towards their pupils, above all to enable them to use the internet and other communication technologies safely

The steps we take:

• we keep abreast of the latest developments
• we have an appropriate Acceptable Internet Use Policy in place, linked to other school policies
• the AIUP is regularly reviewed in a whole school context
• our high-speed broadband connection is to the LGFL portal, a London wide organisation which provides secure e-mail and web filtering facilities, see their online safety pages Here
• staff are kept informed of new developments in technology
• pupils are regularly reminded of the rules regarding internet use, sanctions are explained and used consistently when necessary
• children are taught to use the web safely
• children are not allowed use of mobile phones in school
• children are not allowed to access chat rooms, message boards, messenger services or other 'social networking' websites in school
• children are only allowed access to websites under direct teacher supervision

Other aspects of online safety

Apart from the obvious threats to personal safety the internet involves other difficulties and dangers which the school also seeks to address through lessons on:

copyright, acknowledgement of sources, assessing the usefulness of websites, assessing the reliability of information on the internet, the importance of cross-checking, verification and comparison of information, the dangers of viruses and other downloadable threats, the importance of responsible use of passwords etc.

Guidance

We have used the following source in our work on online safety:

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre

We also looked at the advice from Childnet international, a major international body concerned with child safety and the internet.