Introduction
At our school, keeping every member of our community safe online is a top priority. We believe that the internet is a powerful place for learning, creativity, and connection — but only when used responsibly and with the right guidance. Our E‑Safety Policy sets out how we protect pupils, staff, and families in the digital world, and how we work together to promote safe, respectful, and informed online behaviour.
We teach pupils the skills they need to navigate the online world with confidence, from recognising risks to making positive choices. Staff are trained to model safe practice, respond to concerns, and support pupils in developing healthy digital habits. Families are encouraged to stay involved, stay informed, and work with us to create a consistent message about online safety at home and at school.
This policy explains the measures we take to safeguard our community — including how we use technology in school, how we monitor online activity, and how we respond to any issues that arise. Most importantly, it reflects our commitment to ensuring that every child can enjoy the benefits of the digital world while staying safe, secure, and supported.
Children today move seamlessly between online and offline life. They commonly use the internet for:
Learning and research — accessing educational platforms, videos, and homework tools.
Communication — messaging friends, joining group chats, and using social media to stay connected.
Entertainment — watching videos, streaming content, and using apps.
Online gaming — playing multiplayer games, often with chat features.
Self‑expression and creativity — sharing photos, creating content, and exploring interests.
Children’s online behaviour also changes with age. Research shows distinct developmental stages — from early primary years to teenage years — each with different patterns of use and different vulnerabilities.
Schools have a responsibility to help pupils recognise and manage a wide range of online risks. These include:
Content risks — exposure to harmful or inappropriate material such as hate messages, self‑harm content, or extreme views.
Contact risks — grooming, coercion, or unwanted contact from strangers or peers.
Cyberbullying — harassment or bullying through messaging, social media, or gaming platforms.
Privacy and data risks — oversharing personal information or not understanding how data is collected and used.
Online relationships and behaviour — misunderstanding respectful behaviour online or the impact of their actions on others.
Harmful challenges or trends — viral content that encourages unsafe behaviour. (Inference based on content‑risk categories from cited sources.)
Financial or commercial risks — scams, in‑app purchases, or misleading advertising.
At All Saints, our computer systems are designed to protect pupils from online risks by blocking access to unsuitable websites and ensuring that all computer use in school is supervised. Online safety is an essential part of our curriculum, and children learn about safe and responsible internet use through PSHE lessons and computing lessons.
We also work closely with LCC Online Safety Practitioners, who visit school to deliver age‑appropriate sessions that help pupils understand how to stay safe online. In addition, we hold an Online Safety Day every year, giving children another opportunity to revisit key messages and strengthen their awareness of how to use the internet safely and confidently.
Keeping children safe online is most effective when school and home work together. Parents and carers play a vital role in helping children develop healthy, responsible digital habits. Below is practical advice to support safe internet use at home.
Set clear rules and boundaries — agree on when, where, and how long your child can go online. Keeping devices in shared family spaces helps you stay involved.
Use parental controls — broadband providers, devices, and apps all offer filters and privacy settings to block inappropriate content and limit features such as chat.
Talk openly about online life — encourage your child to share what they enjoy online and discuss any worries. Regular conversations build trust and confidence.
Know what your child is using — check age ratings for apps, games, and social media. Many platforms have minimum age requirements for safety reasons.
Encourage safe sharing — remind children never to share personal information, photos, or passwords with people they don’t know offline.
Model positive behaviour — children learn from what they see. Showing balanced, respectful online habits helps them do the same.
Stay informed — technology changes quickly. Keeping up to date with new apps, games, and trends helps you support your child effectively.
If your child sees something upsetting or behaves differently after going online, stay calm and talk to them. Reassure them they’ve done the right thing by telling you. You can also contact school for advice or support — we are always here to help.
Online Safety Guides
We send out online safety guides on a regular basis via ParentMail. These guides are written specially for parents or carers. You can also access advice and support on the link below.
Support for parents and carers to keep children safe online - GOV.UK
Useful websites and addresses E-safety
Alan Mackenzie- sign up for e-safety newsletters | |
Parental advice on internet use and children | |
Keeping your child safe on line |
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Making a report to CEOP (Child exploitation and online protection)
| https://www.ceop.police.uk/Ceop-Report/
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Making a report to Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/help/?page=204546626249212
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Facebook Family Safety Centre
| https://www.facebook.com/safety
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An introduction to e-safety for young children | www.childnet.com/resources/smartie-the-penguin
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An introduction to e-safety for young children | http://www.childnet.com/resources/digiducks-big-decision
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