At St Joseph and St Theresa’s we believe that internet and online safety is vital element of your child’s education. Online safety is not only part of our computing lessons, but important messages and information are also taught to children through other parts of the curriculum for example through PSHE, through assemblies and by taking part in national events such as Safer Internet Day.
What we do to keep your child safe online:
- We use filtering software on the school internet and use of a child focussed search engine specially designed by online safety experts.
- We talk to your child about online safety and include this in other areas of the curriculum.
- We have guidance for children, staff and parents about online safety.
- We have acceptable use agreements.
- We have an online safety policy which all staff sign.
Our online safety curriculum is intended to:
- Encourage all children throughout the key stages to become positive digital citizens by teaching them safe and appropriate online behaviour including how to report anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.
- Embed online safety principles.
- Demonstrate a firm understanding and commitment to online safety.
Our lessons on online safety allow for lots of discussion between children and their teacher, which is relevant and current and includes dialogue about examples children may themselves have encountered. We also encourage children to talk about issues they may be encountering with staff and discuss feeling surrounding these and how these issues can be resolved.
All policies linked to Online Safety & Acceptable Use of Technology can be found on our policies page.
There is a vast amount of information out there for parents and carers and children to access to help highlight the key aspects of keeping children safe when online. Below are a number of documents/resources that we feel are useful and will help to highlight the importance of e-safety.
Report Harmful Content
If you or your child see anything you believe is harmful content on any website, it can be reported here
You can also report any concerns directly to our designated safeguarding leads Ms Walker, Mrs Schneider or Miss Palmer by calling school on 01543 227220 or emailing:
Ms I Walker (headteacher@st-joseph-st-theresa.staffs.sch.uk)
Miss R Palmer (bursar@st-joseph-st-theresa.staffs.sch.uk
Resources and Support
SMART Rules
- S for Safe: keep personal details away from strangers.
- M for Meet: don’t meet people that you know online unless you’re with a trusted adult.
- A for Accept: don’t click any links that you’re unsure about.
- R for Reliable: don’t believe everything people tell you.
- T for Tell: if you see something online that upsets you, tell a trusted adult straight away!
What does online abuse look like?
- Name-calling between peers (bullying)
- Sexual exploitation and abuse (sexualised language, images, videos)
- Inappropriate language (swearing, making threats)
- Adults or other children directing children to steal, exploit or bully others
- Adults posing as children with sinister intent to abuse or exploit
How can online usage impact behaviour?
- Affect child’s sleep
- Interfere with routines i.e. mealtimes/bedtime
- Alter child’s mood – can provoke anger, violence, frustration
- Child can become withdrawn
- Child could have an increased confidence
- Child may start to talk about new ‘friends’
- Child may get upset at the prospect of giving up the game, video or app
- Child’s behaviour at school may decline
- Child’s academic progress may be limited
Parent Advice and Support
All of the apps and games that children are playing do have a recommended age range.
- Tik Tok – 13 years
- Snapchat – 13 years
- Facebook – 13 years
- Instagram – 13 years
- Whatsapp – 16 (previously 13 years)
- Fortnite – PEGI 12 Years
- Grand Theft Auto – M for ‘Mature Players’ rated 18+
- Youtube – 13 years
Digital Leaders
We have appointed 8 Digital Leaders from KS2. Our Digital Leaders role within school include; raising the profile of Computing within school, supporting teachers and peers within Computing lessons and ensuring equipment is charged and ready to use and leading Online Safety assemblies
Some of our Digital Leaders created an Online Presentation to share within school.
Our Digital Leaders have been busy creating online safety messages; this week’s one is below!
More Support and Information
https://parentzone.org.uk/advice/parent-guides – a fantastic link to parent guides for current online games such as Fortnite, social media apps and online streaming services.
Internet Matters.org have created a simple checklist to give you peace of mind regarding your child’s safety on the internet.
Keeping Under Fives Safe Online – a guide for keeping younger children safe online (particularly useful for parents with children in Reception and Nursery)
Set Up Safe Checklist – guidance on how to set up and use devices safely at home.
Supporting Young People Online – guidance for supporting children with online safety at home.
Let’s Talk About Life Online – helpful information about how to talk to your child about issues surrounding online safety
Family Agreement – a way to start positive conversations around expectations and boundaries regarding use of the internet and devices at home.
Checklist for Keeping Children Safe Online – help to keep your children safe online.
Advice for Foster Carers and Online Safety
Childnet parents and carers support – guidance on where to get help and support and get specific advice and report harmful content, online grooming or online abuse
Advice for Adoptive Parents and Online Safety
Guide to online gaming for parents and carers – including where to get support
The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) is a national charity to inform, educate and safeguard young people and support parents understand the potential harms caused by gambling and gaming.
One page guides on how to stay safe on many of the most popular platforms –
Parent Guides
Please see your child’s Google Classroom page for guides on specific social media platforms, devices and gaming platforms.
