E-Safety encompasses internet technologies and electronic communications such as mobile phones and wireless technology.

It is of utmost importance that we educate children and young people about the benefits and risks of using new technology.

Why is internet use in school important?

• Internet use is part of the statutory curriculum and a necessary tool for learning.

• The Internet is a part of everyday life for education, business and social interaction.
• The school has a duty to provide students with quality Internet access as part of their learning experience.
• The purpose of Internet use in school is to raise educational standards, to promote pupil achievement, to support the professional work of staff and to enhance the school’s management functions.
• Pupils use the Internet widely outside school and need to learn how to evaluate Internet information and to take care of their own personal safety and security whilst online.
• The purpose of Internet use in school is to raise educational standards, to promote pupil achievement, to support the professional work of staff and to enhance the school’s management functions.

How can Internet use enhance learning?

• Internet access is planned to enrich and extend learning activities. Access levels will reflect the curriculum requirements and age of pupils.
• Pupils are taught what Internet use is acceptable and what is not and given clear objectives for Internet use.
• Pupils are guided by staff in on-line activities that will support the learning outcomes planned for the pupils’ age and maturity.
• Pupils will be educated in the effective use of the Internet in research, including the skills of knowledge location, retrieval and evaluation.

How will pupils learn to evaluate Internet content?

The quality of information received via radio, newspaper and telephone is variable and everyone needs to develop skills in selection and evaluation.

• The school will ensure that the use of Internet-derived materials by staff and pupils complies with copyright law. Pupils will be taught to acknowledge the source of information used and to respect copyright when using Internet material in their own work.
• Pupils should be taught to be critically aware of the materials they read and shown how to validate information before accepting its accuracy.

Our school uses KPSN (Kent’s Public Service Network) Broadband which has an Internet Watch Foundation approved web filtering service, designed to protect  pupils when they’re online. Their filtering policy is informed by experts in internet safety who provide advice on the latest trends and threats so they can keep our pupils safe when using the internet.

Here are some links which may help you protect your children from the risks of being online:

Setting Up Parental Controls at Home

Helping Your Children Get The Most From The Internet

Find up to date guidance about staying safe online, including using social media and games

Click here

This brilliant website gives you top tips on how to stay safe online

Click here

Test your internet safety knowledge with Hacker, listen to some Stay Safe songs with Helen Skelton, News Kids On the Block and Bobby Lockwood and get some tips from the Horrible Histories gang

Click here