Online safety

Computing in the Twenty-First Century has an all-encompassing role within the lives of children and adults alike. New technologies are enhancing communication and the sharing of information.

Online safety is therefore a demonstrably necessary ethos to adopt across all practice that involves computing in one way or another. Creating a safe computing learning environment includes three main elements at our school:

Many children are very familiar with the culture of new technologies, but their perceptions of the risks may not be mature; our rules for e-safeguarding need to be explained and discussed. Online safeguarding is a part of every subject at Someries Infant and Early Childhood Education Centre since computers are used across the curriculum. Children’s knowledge, skills and understanding of online safeguarding issues are developed through our computing curriculum and we host a series of interactive workshops throughout the year which are aimed at developing pupils’ awareness of online safety, including how to control and minimise online risks and how to report a problem. This approach aims to ensure that, by the end of key stage one, every child has been educated about safe and responsible use of the internet and digital technologies.

Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre actively strives to be at the forefront of educational technology to ensure that the computing experiences and abilities that the children are equipped with are effective and transferable life skills. To reflect this position, we have invested heavily in computing technologies. Our developing range of resources consists of tablet computers and robots. All of these devices are connected to our wireless network and therefore have continuous access to the Internet.

Despite recognising the enormous benefits that continuous access to the internet has on children’s learning, we also recognise that there are concerns regarding children having access to undesirable material. In an attempt to combat these risks, our internet service provider operates a comprehensive filtering system that restricts access to inappropriate material.

We believe that developing your child’s knowledge and understanding of the safest and most responsible ways of using the Internet and electronic communications is essential for them to grow up safely in the Twenty-First Century.

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) has a new website for 4-7-year-olds and an accompanying guide for parents and carers.

What’s new?

The website is based on the three-episode Jessie and Friends animated series, which aims to equip 4-7-year-olds with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to stay safer online. It is intended to be used by 4-7-year-olds alongside their parents and carers.

The new interactive website encourages 4-7-year-olds to engage safely online by helping them to recognise worrying, upsetting or scary situations and reinforcing the key message that they should ‘Tell A Grown Up’ in these instances.

The website is divided into sections for 4-5 and 6-7-year-olds and features relevant and age-appropriate games for the chosen age bracket. Each game focuses on one of four topics: watching videos, chatting online, sharing pictures, and gaming online.

The Jessie and Friends episodes are also available to watch on the new website to enhance understanding.

Parents and carers guide

This guide aims to support parents and carers in navigating the website alongside their children. It provides information on the background and purpose of the website, in addition to information about each of the games and conversation starters to use with children.

Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre’s Life Curriculum supports the delivery of the online relationships outcomes of the statutory relationships and health education (RHE) curriculum.

Throughout their time at Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre, pupils develop their knowledge and understanding of the following online relationships outcomes through the delivery of our Online Safety Programme which is delivered in a spiral nature from Nursery to Year Two.

Our Online Safety Programme incorporates a range of child-friendly texts which are used to develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of online safety in an age-appropriate manner.

As well as receiving regular online safety lessons, pupils participate in a series of online safety drama workshops during their time at school and benefit from a carefully-planned series of assemblies which focus on developing their knowledge and understanding of online safety.

As part of our Life Curriculum, pupils follow Digiduck® and his friends in these stories of friendship, responsibility and critical thinking online.

Please click on the images below to enjoy each story with your child.

Click on the button below to gain access to step-by-step guides which will support you in setting up the right controls and privacy settings on the networks, gadgets, apps and sites your child uses to give them a safer experience.