Supporting Every Learner
Online Safety

At our school, safeguarding children is our highest priority. Online safety is fully embedded within our safeguarding culture and reflects Ofsted’s expectation that schools create a safe, respectful, and supportive environment where pupils are protected from harm and learn how to keep themselves safe.

We recognise that children are growing up in an increasingly digital world. Our aim is to ensure every child can use technology safely, responsibly and positively, both in school and beyond. [gov.uk]

 

Our Approach to Online Safety

We take a whole-school approach, which means online safety is integrated into all aspects of school life:

  • Safeguarding and child protection procedures

  • Curriculum and teaching

  • Behaviour expectations

  • Staff training

  • Partnerships with parents

 

Online safety is treated as a core part of safeguarding, not a separate issue.

What We Do

What We Do

  • Teaching Online Safety

    Pupils learn to:

    • Build positive and respectful online relationships

    • Recognise unsafe content, contact and behaviour

    • Protect their personal information

    •  Understand the impact of their online actions

    • Know where to go for help

  • Keeping Children Safe in School

    We use a range of measures to protect pupils:

    • Filtered and monitored internet access

    • Secure systems and safe device use

    • Clear Acceptable Use Agreements for pupils and staff

    • Active supervision when pupils are online

  • Responding to Concerns

    • We take all online safety concerns seriously.

    • Pupils are encouraged to speak to a trusted adult

    • Staff follow clear safeguarding procedures

    • Concerns are recorded, monitored and acted upon

    • External agencies are involved where appropriate

     

    We promote an open culture where children feel confident to report concerns, which is essential for effective safeguarding.

  • Staff Training

    All staff receive regular training to:

    • Understand current online risks

    • Teach online safety effectively

    • Respond to safeguarding concerns

    This ensures a consistent and informed approach across the school.

  • Working with Parents

    We support families by:

    • Sharing guidance and updates

    • Providing resources and advice

    • Encouraging open communication

     

    We believe children are safest when school and home work together.
Guidance for Parents and Carers

Guidance for Parents and Carers

  • Why It Matters

    The internet is a valuable tool for learning, communication and creativity—but it also brings risks.

    Children may encounter:

    • Inappropriate content

    • Online bullying

    • Contact from strangers

    • Pressure to share personal information

  • What You Can Do at Home

    Talk Regularly

    The most important step is ongoing conversation.

    • Ask your child what they do online

    • Talk about what is safe and unsafe

    • Encourage them to come to you with concerns

     

    Simple questions can open valuable conversations, like:

    “What games do you enjoy?”

    “Who do you talk to online?”

  • Use Safety Settings

    Set up:

    • Parental controls

    • Privacy settings on apps and games

    • Safe search filters

    These reduce the risk of children seeing harmful content, teach safe habits

     

    Help your child to:

    • Keep personal information private

    • Be kind and respectful online

    • Understand that what they do online has real consequences

    • Understand the Risks

     

    Experts often group online risk into four areas:

    • Content – what children see

    • Contact – who they communicate with

    • Conduct – how they behave

    • Commercial – scams, adverts, in-app purchases

  • Support Healthy Screen Use

    • Set routines (e.g. device-free bedrooms at night)

    • Balance online and offline activities

    • Watch for changes in mood or behaviour

  • Be a Role Model

    Children Learn from Adults:

    • Model safe, respectful technology use

    • Show balance in your own screen habits

Resources which you may find helpful in supporting your child online:

Link to online workshop for parents & carers (see newsletter 37 for details) is here: https://nationalonlinesafety.com/enrol/harlands-primary-school

Safer Internet Day 2021: https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/

  • Top tips, quizzes and films to use at home with your child.

Childnet: https://www.childnet.com/

  • Advice for parents and carers from Childnet

NetAware: https://www.net-aware.org.uk/

  • Guides on popular apps and games.

Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

  • Reviews and information about games, apps, TV shows and websites.

Internet Matters: https://www.internetmatters.org/

  • Help on using parental controls and privacy settings.

CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection): https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/

  • Information and reporting of online grooming or abuse to the Police

  • For information about online safety from the National Crime Agency - https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

  • A parents' guide to online safety issued by WSCC & the West Sussex Safeguarding Board is available here.

  • Also available is a document which provides some useful advice on how to keep your child safe with screen time. The document also includes information on how to set controls on various electronic devices.