Online Safety

Pupils at Grimsargh St Michael’s Church of England Primary School have access to a range of online materials that enrich and extend teaching and learning opportunities.

The benefits to teaching and learning are many and varied. Pupils will be given clear objectives for internet use and will access material under guidance from their class teacher. Teachers will monitor pupils and take all reasonable precautions to ensure that users only access material appropriate to their learning.

Grimsargh St Michael’s pupils are taught to use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private. Pupils are taught to identify where to go for help and support, and when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.

Filtering and virus protection at Grimsargh St Michael’s are carried out via Exa Networks. We have control of assignments and filtering policies, excluding categories that are deemed inappropriate by default.

Online activity of staff, children and visitors to school is monitored by Securus. The Securus software solution provides protection by proactively monitoring typed or viewed word and phrase captures and alerting our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and deputy DSLs to any potential inappropriate content or behaviour. This allows us to safeguard against online dangers such as inadvertent exposure to inappropriate language and websites including cyberbullying, grooming, pornography, online gambling, online gaming, drugs, extremism, un-moderated chatrooms and radicalisation.

The Securus solution has a series of Libraries which contain words and phrases. When a word or phrase is either typed or viewed a capture is taken which identifies the user, machine, date and time of the capture- the DSL, deputies and computing lead are alerted in this moment. Securus will record information and take captures at any time of the day, wherever the machine is, providing it has the Securus client installed.

Action is taken immediately to address any concerns that arise- in line with our Behaviour, Anti-Bullying, Equalities, Child Protection and Safeguarding policies and procedures. This information is then shared as needed, with staff during the teaching assistant briefing and staff meeting. Any action that arises from this is reported to the Governing Body.

We believe in working closely with our parents to support pupils in developing safe practice when using online technology and therefore provide updates through our website, newsletter and parent workshops. The online world is posing an ever-increasing risk to children, and it is important that schools, parents and carers work together to take an active role in teaching children about online dangers. Learning how to act safely when using the internet is an incredibly important part of safeguarding our children.

Keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility

Keep your child safe online

It is important to have regular conversations about staying safe online and to encourage children to speak to you if they come across something worrying online.

Talk to your child about the importance of creating a safe online environment, including keeping any log-in details and passwords safe. These resources will support you to talk to your child about a range of online safety issues, set up home filtering in a child-friendly way and set up age-appropriate parental controls on digital devices:

Thinkuknow by the National Crime Agency – Child Exploitation and Online Protection command (NCA-CEOP) – resources for parents and carers and children of all ages to help keep children safe online
Childnet has developed guidance for parents and carers to begin a conversation about online safety, as well as guidance on keeping under-fives safe online
Parent Info is a collaboration between Parent Zone and NCA-CEOP – support and guidance for parents and carers related to the digital world from leading experts and organisations
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) – guidance for parents and carers to help keep children safe online
UK Safer Internet Centre – tips and advice for parents and carers to keep children safe online – you can also report any harmful content found online through the UK Safer Internet Centre
Inclusive Digital Safety Hub and Online Safety Hub, created by South West Grid for Learning in partnership with Internet Matters – support and tailored advice for young people with additional learning needs and their parents or carers
Parents’ Guide to Age Ratings explains how the British Board of Film Classification rates content, and gives parents advice on choosing online content well.
To get you up to speed on the things you should be keeping an eye out for, check out the Children’s Internet Safety Test, and keep on top of how your little ones are making use of the world wide web.