Online Safety
Intent
At New Brancepeth Primary Academy, we want all of our pupils to become digitally literate, critical, safe and responsible citizens to enable effective and enjoyable experiences in a digital world. We are fully committed to keeping all of our pupils safe and recognise that learning about online safety happens through a range of subjects and approaches. We have adopted the UK Council for Internet Safety’s, ‘Education for a Connected World’ (2020) as a framework of progressive knowledge and skills to support and broaden the provision of online safety education within our school. We recognise that online safety education is a whole school matter and goes well beyond the computing curriculum alone, therefore, our teaching of framework objectives will come in many forms, for example, through discrete online safety, PSHRE lessons, as well as other curriculum areas, pastoral interactions, home learning, assemblies and special events. Online safety is taught as a prerequisite and then woven in line with the Computing curriculum, to have optimum impact. Online safety coverage is carefully planned within the context of our safeguarding duty as taught in school, ensuring that pupils at all age ranges understand this aspect of learning as a core element of keeping themselves safe. We support parental engagement and understanding of online safety through a dedicated ‘online safety’ section on our school website as well as regular updates via our social media pages. Here, tips and guidance is shared with parents, and monthly newsletters specifically linked to online safety are circulated.
Across EYFS, Online Safety links to personal, social and emotional development. We focus on developing children’s early awareness of appropriate screen time and online resources alongside reporting dangers and understanding how to stay safe online. We recognise that internet, mobile and digital technologies provide a good opportunity for children and young people to learn, socialise and play, provided they are safe. The digital world is an amazing place, but with few rules. It is vast and fast moving and young people’s future economic success may be partly dependent on their online skills and reputation. We are, therefore, committed to ensuring that all staff and pupils will be able to use internet, mobile and digital technologies safely. We have a group of children elected as ‘Digital Leaders’ who meet weekly and who disseminate key messages to children. With this approach, it is our intention that pupils will build resilience and develop safe and appropriate behaviours online, which in turn will lead to positive online experiences.
Our aims for Online Safety are reflected in our achievement of certified status from National Online Safety for 2022-23. We aim to continue to share our successes with our community and pupils to further raise the profile of Online Safety to support their positive engagement in our progressive, digital society.
Online Safety Long-Term Plan
