At St Nicholas, we understand the importance and benefits of using computers to help with children’s learning and personal development. However, we also recognise that safeguards need to be in place to ensure children are kept safe at all times. At St Nicholas, we have filters in place to greatly reduce the risks of our pupils accessing unsuitable materials. Lessons are taught from EYFS upward explaining and demonstrating how to stay safe when using the internet and working with technology.
Curriculum
To ensure our on-line safety curriculum provisions are effective, we believe in a whole school community focus. Clear educational messages are embedded across computing, PSHE and where links can be made, in other curriculum areas, whenever children use technology.
Each year we support Safer Internet Day. Here’s some statistics release by the UK Safer Internet Centre about the impact of 2024’s campaign
This year’s Safer Internet Day takes place on Tuesday 11th February. The theme is ‘Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online’
Responding to an Online Incident
Through our curriculum and assemblies, children are taught how to respond effectively to any online incidents. At St Nicholas we have a clear and robust reporting system for responding with any issues raised. Staff are aware of who to go to within the school if they have any cyberbullying or wider online safety concerns.
Cyberbullying
Like any form of bullying, Cyberbullying is not tolerated at St Nicholas. Designated staff are trained in how to investigate, support and report incidents of cyberbullying. It is important that children are aware how content posted online can be easily misunderstood by others and taken out of context. It is important for young people to recognise the importance of thinking before they post and the need to respect their friends’ and peers’ thoughts and feelings online. What’s considered morally right and wrong within our school and wider communities offline, must also be thought of in the same way online, and treating others with respect on the internet is a good way to ensure that online situations are less likely to escalate further.
Sexting
Childnet outline sexting as, “The use of technology to share intimate or sexual photos or videos of yourself or others”. Young people may recognise the term ‘sexting’ but would not often use it to describe this behaviour. They would more likely use terms such as ‘sending nudes’ or ‘sending pics.’
Online Safety Advice and Support
Our Online Safety section of our weekly newsletters regularly updates parents and carers about online safety risks and trends, alongside information on how to use parental controls on the various apps and games our children use.
Swiggle – Child Friendly Search Engine
Swiggle is an ad-free search engine designed specifically for kids designed to provide a safer environment as they take their first steps on the road to safe online searching. Powered by Google Custom Search, the results are filtered using Google SafeSearch and educational resources are prioritised. It also filters the search terms to check that Swiggle is not being used to search for inappropriate content.
Try it here >>> Swiggle.org.uk – Child Friendly Search Engine for Kids
Useful Websites
Childnet is a fantastic one stop shop for advice about keeping safe online. The ‘Help & advice for parents and carers’ section is full of up-to-date information on current issues and trends regarding children’s use of technology. Click here to access the Childnet website >>> Childnet — Online safety for young people
- Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) – information for parents, carers and educators. Adults and children alikle can use the report abuse button for advice and to report online abuse such as grooming
CEOP Safety Centre - UK Safer Internet Centre – tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe on the internet.
UK Safer Internet Centre - Digital parenting resources – helping parents help their children manage their digital world, including digital parenting magazine
- Get safe online – practical advice on how to protect yourself, your computers and mobile devices against fraud, identity theft, viruses and other problems encountered online
- Internet Matters – an independent, not-for-profit organisation to help parents keep their children safe online
- Internet Watch Foundation – report illegal content online
- Ofcom – the UK’s media regulator offers guidance and advice about online safety and how it is enforced across the media to protect children from inappropriate material
- NSPCC online safety – helpful advice and tools you can use to keep your children safe online
- SWGfL – a leading online safety charity. Click this link for social media checklists to keep your online life secure.
Address
Email
Telephone