Online Safety Policy

1. Aims

Our school aims to:

Have robust processes in place to ensure the online safety of pupils, staff, volunteers and governor

Deliver an effective approach to online safety, which empowers us to protect and educate the whole school community in its use of technology

Establish clear mechanisms to identify, intervene and escalate an incident, where appropriate

This policy is based on the Department for Education’s (DfE) statutory safeguarding guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education, and its advice for schools on:

  • Teaching online safety in schools
  • Preventing and tackling bullying and cyber-bullying: advice for headteachers and school staff Relationships and sex
    education
  • Searching, screening and confiscation
    It also refers to the Department’s guidance on protecting children from radicalisation
  • It reflects existing legislation, including but not limited to the Education Act 1996 (as amended), the Education and
    Inspections Act 2006 and the Equality Act 2010. In addition, it reflects the Education Act 2011, which has given
    teachers stronger powers to tackle cyber-bullying by, if necessary, searching for and deleting inappropriate images or
    files on pupils’ electronic devices where they believe there is a ‘good reason’ to do so

Maintained schools and academies follow the National Curriculum:

The policy also takes into account the National Curriculum computing programmes of study

3.1 The governing board

The governing board has overall responsibility for monitoring this policy and holding the headteacher to account for its implementation

The governing board will co-ordinate regular meetings with appropriate staff to discuss online safety and monitor online safety logs as provided by the designated safeguarding lead (DSL)

All governors will:

Ensure that they have read and understand this policy

Agree and adhere to the terms on acceptable use of the school’s ICT systems and the internet (appendix 3)

3.2 The Headteacher

The headteacher is responsible for ensuring that staff understand this policy and that it is being implemented consistently throughout the school

3.3 The designated safeguarding lead

Details of the school’s DSL lead DSL H Patel (Headteacher), N Patel are set out in our child protection and safeguarding policy as well as relevant job descriptions

The DSL takes lead responsibility for online safety in school, in particular:

  • Supporting the headteacher in ensuring that staff understand this policy and that it is being implemented consistently throughout the school
  • Working with the headteacher, ICT manager and other staff, as necessary, to address any online safety issues or incidents
  • Ensuring that any online safety incidents are logged and dealt with appropriately in line with this policy
  • Ensuring that any incidents of cyber-bullying are logged and dealt with appropriately in line with the school behaviour policy
  • Updating and delivering staff training on online safety (appendix 4 contains a self-audit for staff on online safety training needs) Liaising with other agencies and/or external services if necessary
  • Providing regular reports on online safety in school to the headteacher and/or governing board

3.4 The ICT manager

The ICT manager is responsible for:

Putting in place appropriate filtering and monitoring systems, which are updated on a regular basis and keep pupils safe from potentially harmful and inappropriate content and contact online while at school, including terrorist and extremist material

Ensuring that the school’s ICT systems are secure and protected against viruses and malware, and that such safety mechanisms are updated regularly

Conducting a full security check and monitoring the school’s ICT systems on a weekly basis (Trusol)

Blocking access to potentially dangerous sites and, where possible, preventing the downloading of potentially dangerous files

Ensuring that any online safety incidents are logged and dealt with appropriately in line with this policy

Ensuring that any incidents of cyber-bullying are dealt with appropriately in line with the school behaviour policy

3.5 All staff and volunteers

All staff, including contractors and agency staff, and volunteers are responsible for:

Maintaining an understanding of this policy Implementing this policy consistently

Agreeing and adhering to the terms on acceptable use of the school’s ICT systems and the internet (appendix 3), and ensuring that pupils follow the school’s terms on acceptable use (appendices 1 and 2)

Working with the DSL to ensure that any online safety incidents are logged and dealt with appropriately in line with this policy

Ensuring that any incidents of cyber-bullying are dealt with appropriately in line with the school behaviour policy

3.6 Parents

Parents are expected to:

Notify a member of staff or the headteacher of any concerns or queries regarding this policy

Ensure their child has read, understood and agreed to the terms on acceptable use of the school’s ICT systems and internet (appendices 1 and 2)

Parents can seek further guidance on keeping children safe online from the following organisations and websites:

What are the issues? – UK Safer Internet Centre
Hot topics – Childnet International
Parent factsheet – Childnet International

3.7 Visitors and members of the community

Visitors and members of the community who use the school’s ICT systems or internet will be made aware of this policy, when relevant, and expected to read and follow it. If appropriate, they will be expected to agree to the terms on acceptable use (appendix 3)

Pupils will be taught about online safety as part of the curriculum: Relationships education and health education

Key Stage 2 pupils will be taught to:

  • Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly Recognise acceptable and unacceptable behaviour
  • Identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact

By the end of primary school, pupils will know:

  • That people sometimes behave differently online, including by pretending to be someone they are not
  • The same principles apply to online relationships as to face-to-face relationships, including the importance of respect for others online including when we are anonymous
  • The rules and principles for keeping safe online, how to recognise risks, harmful content and contact,and how to
    report them
  • How to critically consider their online friendships and sources of information including awareness of the risks
    associated with people they have never met
  • How information and data is shared and used online
  • How to respond safely and appropriately to adults they may encounter (in all contexts, including online) whom they do
    not know
  • The safe use of social media and the internet will also be covered in other subjects where relevant
  • The school will use assemblies to raise pupils’ awareness of the dangers that can be encountered online and may
    also invite speakers to talk to pupils about this

The school will raise parents’ awareness of internet safety in letters or other communications home, and information
via our website, virtual learning environment (VLE) or ClassDojo. This policy will also be shared with parents

Online safety will also be covered during parents’ evenings

If parents have any queries or concerns in relation to online safety, these should be raised in the first instance with the headteacher and/or the DSL

Concerns or queries about this policy can be raised with any member of staff or the headteacher

6.1 Definition

Cyberbullying takes place online, such as through social networking sites, messaging apps or gaming sites. Like other forms of bullying, it is the repetitive, intentional harming of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power.

(See also the school behaviour policy)

6.2 Preventing and addressing cyber-bullying

To help prevent cyberbullying, we will ensure that pupils understand what it is and what to do if they become aware of it happening to them or others. We will ensure that pupils know how they can report any incidents and are encouraged to do so, including where they are a witness rather than the victim

The school will actively discuss cyber-bullying with pupils, explaining the reasons why it occurs, the forms it may take and what the consequences can be. Computing teachers/class teachers/form teachers will discuss cyberbullying with their tutor groups, and the issue will be addressed in assemblies

Teaching staff are also encouraged to find opportunities to use aspects of the curriculum to cover cyberbullying. This includes personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education, and other subjects where appropriate

All staff, governors and volunteers (where appropriate) receive training on cyber-bullying, its impact and ways to support pupils, as part of safeguarding training (see section 11 for more detail)

The school also sends information/leaflets on cyber-bullying to parents so that they are aware of the signs, how to report it and how they can support children who may be affected

In relation to a specific incident of cyber-bullying, the school or where illegal, inappropriate or harmful material has
been spread among pupils, the school will use all reasonable endeavours to ensure the incident is contained

The DSL will consider whether the incident should be reported to the police if it involves illegal material, and will work with external services if it is deemed necessary to do so

6.3 Examining Electronic Devices

School staff have the specific power under the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (which has been increased by the Education Act 2011) to search for and, if necessary, delete inappropriate images or files on pupils’ electronic devices, including mobile phones, iPads and other tablet devices, where they believe there is a ‘good reason’ to do so

When deciding whether there is a good reason to examine or erase data or files on an electronic device, staff must reasonably suspect that the data or file in question has been, or could be, used to:

  • Cause harm, and/or
  • Disrupt teaching, and/or
  • Break any of the school rules
  • If inappropriate material is found on the device, it is up to the staff member in conjunction with the DSL or other
    member of the senior leadership team to decide whether they should:
  • Delete that material, or
  • Retain it as evidence (of a criminal offence or a breach of school discipline), and/or Report it to the police
  • Any searching of pupils will be carried out in line with the DfE’s latest guidance on screening, searching and
    confiscation
  • Any complaints about searching for or deleting inappropriate images or files on pupils’ electronic devices will be dealt
    with through the school complaints procedure

All pupils, parents, staff, volunteers and governors are expected to sign an agreement regarding the acceptable use of the school’s ICT systems and the Internet (appendices 1-3). Visitors will be expected to read and agree to the school’s terms of acceptable use if relevant

Use of the school’s internet must be for educational purposes only, or for the purpose of fulfilling the duties of an individual’s role

We will monitor the websites visited by pupils, staff, volunteers, governors and visitors (where relevant) to ensure they comply with the above

More information is set out in the acceptable use agreements in appendices 1, 2 and 3

Pupils may bring mobile devices into school, but they must hand them over to their class teacher for safekeeping as soon as they arrive at school

Pupils are not permitted to use them during:

  • School hours
  • Clubs before or after school, or any other activities organised by the school
  • Any use of mobile devices in school by pupils must be in line with the acceptable use agreement (see Appendices 1
    and 2)
  • Any breach of the acceptable use agreement by a pupil may trigger disciplinary action in line with the school
    behaviour policy, which may result in the confiscation of their device

Staff members using a work device outside the school must not install any unauthorised software on the device and must not use the device in any way which would violate the school’s terms of acceptable use, as set out in appendix 3

Staff must ensure that their work device is secure and password-protected and that they do not share their password with others. They must take all reasonable steps to ensure the security of their work device when using it outside school. Any USB devices containing data relating to the school must be encrypted

If staff have any concerns over the security of their device, they must seek advice from the ICT manager. Work devices must be used solely for work activities

Where a pupil misuses the school’s ICT systems or internet, we will follow the procedures set out in our policies on ICT and internet AUP. The action taken will depend on the individual circumstances, nature and seriousness of the specific incident, and will be proportionate

Where a staff member misuses the school’s ICT systems or the internet, or misuses a personal device where the action constitutes misconduct, the matter will be dealt with in accordance with the staff disciplinary procedures/staff code of conduct (School office). The action taken will depend on the individual circumstances, nature and seriousness of the specific incident

The school will consider whether incidents which involve illegal activity or content, or otherwise serious incidents, should be reported to the police

All new staff members will receive training, as part of their induction, on safe internet use and online safeguarding issues including cyber-bullying and the risks of online radicalisation

All staff members will receive refresher training at least once each academic year as part of safeguarding training, as well as relevant updates as required (for example through emails, e-bulletins and staff meetings)

The DSL and deputy/deputies will undertake child protection and safeguarding training, which will include online safety, at least every 2 years. They will also update their knowledge and skills on the subject of online safety at regular intervals, and at least annually

Governors will receive training on safe internet use and online safeguarding issues as part of their safeguarding training

Volunteers will receive appropriate training and updates, if applicable

More information about safeguarding training is set out in our child protection and safeguarding policy

The DSL logs behaviour and safeguarding issues related to online safety. An incident report log can be found in CPOMs

This policy will be reviewed every year by the head of computing. At every review, the policy will be shared with the governing board

This online safety policy is linked to our:

  • Child Protection and Safeguarding policy
  • Behaviour policy
  • Staff disciplinary procedures
  • Data protection policy and privacy notices Complaints procedure
  • ICT and Internet acceptable use policy

ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE SCHOOL’S ICT SYSTEMS AND INTERNET: AGREEMENT FOR PUPILS AND PARENTS/CARERS

Name of pupil:

I will read and follow the rules in the acceptable use agreement policy

When I use the school’s ICT systems (like computers) and get onto the internet in school

I will:

  • Always use the school’s ICT systems and the internet responsibly and for educational purposes only
  • Only use them when a teacher is present, or with a teacher’s permission
  • Keep my username and passwords safe and not share thesewith others
  • Keep my private information safe at all times and not give my name, address or telephone number to anyone without the permission of my teacher or parent/carer
  • Tell a teacher (or sensible adult) immediately if I find any material which might upset, distress or harm me or others
  • Always log off or shut down a computer when I’m finished working on

I will not:

  • Access any inappropriate websites including social networking sites, chat rooms and gaming sites unless my teacher has expressly allowed this as part of a learning activity
  • Open any attachments in emails, or follow any links in emails, without first checking with a teacher
  • Use any inappropriate language when communicating online, including emails
  • Log in to the school’s network using someone else’s details
  • Arrange to meet anyone offline without first consulting my parent/carer, or without adult supervision

If I bring a personal mobile phone or other personal electronic device into school:

  • I will hand it over to my class teacher for safekeeping as soon as I arrive at school
  • I will not use it during lessons, tutor group time, clubs or other activities organised by the school, without a teacher’s permission
  • I understand that the school will check the websites I visit and how I use the school’s computers and equipment. This is so that they can help keep me safe and make sure I’m following the rules
  • I will tell a teacher or a member of staff I know immediately if I find anything on a school computer or online that upsets me, or that I know is mean or wrong
  • I will always be responsible when I use the school’s ICT systems and internet
  • I understand that the school can discipline me if I do certain unacceptable things online, even if I’m not in school when I do them

Online channels are an important way for parents/carers to communicate with, or about, our school.

The school uses the following channels:

  • Email/text groups for parents (for school announcements and information)
  • Our virtual learning platform (MS Teams, ClassDojo)
  • Parents/carers also set up independent channels to help them stay on top of what’s happening in their child’s class. For example, ClassDojo, email and text
When communicating with the school via official communication channels, or using private/independent channels to talk about the school, I will:
  • Be respectful towards members of staff, and the school, at all times
  • Be respectful of other parents/carers and children
  • Direct any complaints or concerns through the school’s official channels, so they can be dealt with in line with the school’s complaints procedure

I will not:

  • Use private groups, Facebook, or personal social media to complain about or criticise members of staff. This is not constructive and the school can’t improve or address issues if they aren’t raised in an appropriate way.
  • Also I will not use private groups, Facebook, or personal social media to complain about, or try to resolve, a behaviour issue involving other pupils. I will contact the school and speak
    to the appropriate member of staff if I’m aware of a specific behaviour issue or incident
  • Upload or share photos or videos on social media of any child other than my own, unless I have the permission of other children’s

Parents/Carers

I agree that the school will monitor the websites I visit and that there will be consequences if I don’t follow the rules

Signed (pupil):
Date:

Parent/carer’s agreement:

I agree that my child can use the school’s ICT systems and internet when appropriately supervised by a member of school staff. I agree to the conditions set out above for pupils using the school’s ICT systems and Internet, and for using personal electronic devices in school, and will make sure my child understands these

Signed (parent/carer):
Date:

Acton Gardens Primary School judged as GOOD in all areas

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