Online Safety

Online Safety is about using technology safely, especially technology that can access the internet or be used to communicate with others. Rayleigh Primary school recognises that internet, mobile and digital technologies provide positive opportunities for children and young people to learn, socialise and play but they also need to understand the challenges and risks.

Technology is becoming an integral part of children’s lives; it entertains them, engages them and motivates them. As a result, the use of technology has become a significant component of many safeguarding issues. In many cases such as child sexual exploitation, radicalisation and bullying, technology often provides the platform that facilitates harm.

As part of our Computing curriculum, children are taught online safety lessons at least once per half term, with regular recaps and reminders between these sessions. As society increasingly operates online, it is essential that children are safeguarded from potentially harmful and inappropriate online material. At Rayleigh Primary School, we are committed to teaching children how to use technology safely and confidently by minimising risks through responsible choices and appropriate behaviour. Through our Blurt It Out system, children are regularly encouraged to speak to a trusted adult if they are worried about anything, including any content they encounter online, and to ask for help with decisions. We ensure appropriate filters and appropriate monitoring systems are in place to safeguard all of our stakeholders.

The rules for online safety apply to any technology or device that can be used for communication and/or has access to the internet. This includes:

• Computers and laptops
• Tablets
• Mobile phones
• Smart watches
• Games Consoles

Pupils are reminded of the SMART rules for staying safe online from www.childnet.com. 

Through our online safety curriculum and procedures in school, we endeavour to:

• Provide an age-related, comprehensive curriculum for online safety that enables pupils to become safe and responsible users of new technologies.
• Audit the training needs of all staff and provide professional development to improve knowledge of and expertise in the safe and appropriate use of new technologies.
• Work closely with all families to help them ensure that their children use new technologies safely and responsibly both at home and at school.
• Manage the transition from controlled systems to more managed systems to help pupils understand how to manage risk; to provide them with richer learning experiences; and to bridge the gap between systems at school and the more open systems outside school.
• Ensure that children accessing face-to-face teaching and remote education are equally safe online.
• Systematically review and develop online safety procedures, including training, to ensure that they have a positive impact on pupils’ knowledge and understanding.

The breadth of issues classified within online safety is considerable, but can be categorised into three areas of risk:

• content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful material; for example, pornography, fake news, racist or radical and extremist views;
• contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users; for example, commercial advertising as well as adults posing as children or young adults; and
• conduct: personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm; for example, making, sending and receiving explicit images, or online bullying.

These three issues are taught within our school online safety curriculum; however, this is flexible to adapt to any topical issues at present within current society and the needs of our school community.

Thank you once again to the Two Johns for their presentations to our whole school community. You delivered very important messages to our pupils, staff and parents. Knowledge is power!

Pupils are reminded to follow these SMART rules to stay safe online

                                  Online Safety at home

If you or your child need some advice on how to keep safe online, you can find some very helpful information on the following websites:

• UK Safer Internet Centre
• Childnet
• Thinkuknow - home
• Online Safety for Children - Tips & Guides | NSPCC
• eSafety Training (The 2 Johns)
• National Online Safety
• Safer Internet Day 2024