Online safety at Edmonton County School
The teaching of online safety is used to educate children on the importance of keeping themselves safe when online whether that be on a computer, laptop, tablet, phone or games console.
As part of your child’s curriculum and the development of computer skills, we provide access to the internet only with teacher supervisions. We believe that the use of the web and email is an essential tool for children as they grow up in the modern world. However, considering concerns about children having access to undesirable materials, we have taken positive steps to deal with this risk in school. Our school internet access provider operates a filtering system that restricts access to inappropriate materials.
Additionally, children have regular online safety lessons throughout the year and at the start of every half term, there are explicit lessons that are taught where children discuss how they can stay safe online and the dangers they may face on the internet. Children are questioned and challenged about safety to ensure they understand the school's rules on staying safe and what to do in case they are worried about something online. On top of that, we have live zooms sessions delivered by ParentZone to KS2 where they engage children by inspiring them to be ‘Internet Legends’.
Keeping children safe online
As a parent/carer, you'll know how important the internet is to children - they use it to learn, play, socialise and express themselves. It's a highly creative place of amazing opportunities. But the technology children use every day can seem a bit daunting and you might worry about the risks your child can face online - such as bullying, contact from strangers or the possibility of them seeing illegal or inappropriate content.
Parent/carer resources
To try and help parents/carers with the fast moving and changing world of internet and social media we've suggested a few internet sites which can be found here. below which are fantastic resources. They contain information on different types of social media and how to help keep children safe.
Reporting concerns
If you are concerned that your child is in immediate danger, call 999. If it is a less immediate concern, you should contact your local police station.
If you are worried that your child is being groomed online or sexually exploited, you should also report your concerns to the Child Exploitation & Online Protection Centre (CEOP). You can report your concern through their website: www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre
If you are concerned that your child is being bullied at school or online, you should contact your child’s Progress Leader in the first instance. – link to Pastoral Care page You may also want to contact a member of the school’s Designated Safeguarding Team – Safeguarding
Other useful websites are:
Think you know: www.thinkyouknow.co.uk
Get Safe Online: www.getsafeonline.org