Online Safety at Farsley Springbank

Farsley Springbank recognises and value the potential of the internet to enhance learning. The internet and electronic technologies are part of every child’s life. They can be exciting, engaging and can significantly improve children’s knowledge and understanding of many aspects both within school and at home.  We aim to teach all pupils to use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.

Within school we follow a yearly program of online lessons alongside our skills based computing curriculum.

Within online safety lessons we discuss issues such as:

• Keeping personal information safe.
• Safe emailing and the risks of viruses and illicit emails.
• Cyber bullying –Making sure we are ‘good online citizens’ and what to do if they are being bullied.
• Website accuracy – Ensuring that they check their facts and that they understand the internet is open to anyone to publish and so might not be accurate.
• Online profiles and social networking – Not sharing personal information and not linking to people they do not know.
• Online legacy – The fact that many online websites retain the rights over any content you add to them and that these pictures and comments may be visible beyond their school life.
• Identifying where to go for help and how to report concerns through the report abuse button.

Supporting Online safety at home.

Whilst at Farsley Springbank we teach the children about internet safety on a regular basis, we believe this also needs to be reinforced in the home.

The pace of change of technology is incredible, our children are growing up in a world infused with technology which connects us with the wider world.  It can be hard to keep with the rate of change, to feel confident in the use of technology and to keep our children safe.  The links below provide information  and support for parents in this fast moving digital world.  There is guidance around how you can keep your children safe and support for parents in understanding internet safety and digital technologies.  

If you need any further advice, please do not hesitate to contact our computing leader in school, Mrs J Bennett, who will be happy to help. 

Useful websites for advice, training and guidance

Parent Info https://parentinfo.org/

Parent Info has been set up as a collaboration between Parent Zone and NCA-CEOP. Parent Info provides support and advice to parents/carers, with contributions from the leading experts and organisations in matters relating to young people and families in a digital world.  There is lots of advice for parents/carers around all things digital and how to ensure your child’s safety, resilience and health and well-being in the digital arena. 

Child Exploitation Online Protection command (CEOP) https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/

CEOP aims to protect children from harm online and offline.  The Safety Centre provides a wealth of advice and help for parents in how to stay safe online, including age appropriate activities for children.  There is also a facility for parents and children to report any inappropriate online activity directly to CEOP.

Thinkuknow https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

Thinkuknow is the education portal from CEOP (Child Exploitation Online Protection agency website).  It provides guidance and information for adults and children, including games and activities for children to do.  Find out the latest information on the sites you like to visit, mobiles and new technology. Find out what’s good, what’s not and what you can do about it.

SWGfl https://swgfl.org.uk/

SWGfl is a not-for-profit charitable trust, that specialises in supporting schools, agencies and families to affect lasting change with the safe and secure use of technology. 

Childnet International https://www.childnet.com/

Childnet International is a non-profit organisation working with others to help make the internet a great and safe place for children.  The Parents/Carers section provides lots of guidance and advice about all aspects of how to keep your child safe online.

Parent's Guide to Technology  https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers/parents-guide-technology

Parents’ Guide to Technology a guide to some of the most popular devices, highlighting the safety tools available and empowering parents with the knowledge they need to support their children to use these technologies safely and responsibly.