Online Safety

Why is online safety important?

Here at Green Ridge, we do everything in our power to safeguard children. In the quickly evolving world of technology and social media, online safety has never been more important. Our classrooms are becoming digitally transformed, in alignment with the world around us, and both the academy and parents/carers have the responsibility to ensure technology is used in a fun and explorative, but ultimately safe, way.

How and when do we teach the children how to stay safe online?

Online Safety is taught seamlessly throughout the school, beginning in EYFS, and progressing into Year Six. Children are typically joining our Nursery with the ability to navigate applications like Youtube and this is why the foundations of ‘how to stay safe online’ are immediately introduced.
Eight facets interlink to create the basis of our school’s approach to Online Safety: Self-image and Identity; Online Relationships; Online Reputation; Online Bullying (Cyberbullying); Managing Online Information; Health, Well-Being and Lifestyle; Privacy and Security; and Copyright and Ownership. Each Computing lesson begins with an Online Safety starter scenario based on one of these categories; progressive statements are introduced, and consolidated, at an age-appropriate level. The ‘Education for a Connected World – 2020’ Framework document that is used to inform our method can be found below:

Education for a Connected World – March 2018 (2MB)

In addition to the weekly scenarios, there are multiple explicit units in both our Computing and PSHE curriculums which act to deepen children’s knowledge of what it means to be safe online and how to respond – physically and emotionally – to something that they see online that makes us feel uncomfortable. The comprehensive units collectively include: how to use technology safely, responsibly, respectfully and securely, as well as advising the children where they can go, and/or who they can speak to, should they have any concerns about any digital content they have experienced. Online safety is promoted elsewhere throughout the academic year – within our British Values which are frequently discussed in our phase assemblies and RRSA assemblies; in our everyday use of iPads and laptops; during specific times of the year like Switch Off Fortnight and Safer Internet Day; and with external visitors and workshops.
Online Safety is mapped out for each year group, including EYFS, below:

Green Ridge Online Safety Curriculum Overview – 2023 (Updated) (1MB)

How do we promote online safety at school?

  • The school has ‘Online Safety Ambassadors’ – children who have taken part in a training programme to become age-appropriate experts, offering peer support.
  • Child-friendly search engines used, such as Kiddle.
  • Online safety scenarios at the beginning of every Computing lesson.
  • Specific activities and workshops during key times of the year, namely Safer Internet Day and Anti-Bullying Week.
  • Clear expectations for using devices safely and appropriately in school.
  • Raising the awareness of cyberbullying and signposting children to support networks.
  • Pupils are made aware of legislation such as data protection, copyright, safe use of images and intellectual property – which bring some limitations but are designed to protect.
  • Child-friendly educational apps are shared and promoted in school (Ed Shed, TT Rockstars, Blooket and Padlet to name a few).

Online safety support – links and resources for parents and carers:

Online safety support – for children at home:

Guides to apps and social media:

 

Online Safety Ambassador meeting

Meeting – 01.02.24 (132KB)