Online Safety
Introduction
At Thorn Grove, we recognise the importance of ensuring the online safety and well-being of our pupils and staff. We are committed to providing a safe and secure online environment for all members of our school community. It is aligned with the expectations set out in the 2014 National Curriculum in England, as well as the suggestions discussed in Ofsted’s research review series: Computing (2022) and ‘Teaching online safety in schools’ (Jan 2023).
Objectives
We aim to do this by:
- Educating and empowering pupils to make safe and responsible choices online.
- Ensuring all staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach online safety effectively.
- Providing a secure network infrastructure that safeguards against potential risks and threats.
- Fostering a culture of digital citizenship, promoting respect, kindness, and empathy both online and offline.
- Establishing clear reporting mechanisms for online incidents and provide appropriate support and intervention when required.
Teaching and Learning
Our online safety curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of the 2014 National Curriculum in England. It covers the following key areas:
- Understanding personal information and how to protect it.
- Recognising and dealing with online risks such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and grooming.
- Developing critical thinking and digital literacy skills to evaluate online information.
- Understanding the importance of consent, privacy, and responsible online behaviour.
- Promoting positive online relationships and respectful communication.
- Recognising the potential impact of online actions and considering the consequences.
Our online safety lessons are age-appropriate and delivered by well-trained staff members. They are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changing online risks.
The learning is progressive and takes children through a series of skills from Y2-Y6. The sessions enable children to:
- Think critically and evaluate apps, websites and other digital content.
- Protect themselves from online threats, including bullying and scams.
- Get sharp about sharing: what, when, how, and with whom.
- Be kind and respectful toward other people online, including respecting their privacy.
- Ask for help with tricky situations from a parent or other trusted adult
Online safety also features within our PSHE curriculum. We use 1Decision and the following elements of online safety are covered within the units as below. Each year group has a computer safety unit of work.
Further useful links