How safe is your child online?

Online Safety Lead – Mrs Doherty

In a world where technology plays an increasingly important role in children’s lives, online safety is a key priority for the wellbeing and safeguarding of our pupils. We have a range of security measures in place to help protect children from inappropriate content and potential online risks. These systems are monitored both internally and externally, and any online safety incidents are recorded and followed up appropriately.

At Kedington Primary School, we use Smoothwall filtering and monitoring systems to help keep children safe online while using school devices and networks. This protection extends beyond the school day for children in Years 4, 5 and 6 who have a 1:1 school iPad, meaning that filtering and monitoring remain in place when these devices are used at home as well as in school.

Online Safety is an important part of our curriculum and is taught through both the Computing and PSHE curricula. Through this learning, children develop the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe online, behave responsibly and respectfully, and understand how the digital world works. This includes learning about topics such as privacy, online relationships, misinformation, advertising, digital footprints and how companies collect and use data.

All children at Kedington Primary School are asked to read and follow our Acceptable Use Agreements, which help to ensure that everyone can use technology safely, responsibly and positively. There is an agreement tailored to each key stage.

We also respond to online safety issues that arise both in and out of school, providing advice and support to families where needed. Every newsletter contains online safety guidance, helping parents and carers stay informed about current trends, apps and potential risks.

Working Together with Parents and Carers

While school systems provide strong safeguards, parents and carers play the most important role in supporting children to use technology safely at home. We strongly encourage families to take an active interest in their child’s online life by:

• Regularly monitoring the websites, apps and games they use.
• Keeping devices in family spaces where possible.
• Knowing who children are communicating with online.
• Using parental controls and age restrictions where appropriate.
• Having regular, open and non-judgemental conversations about online experiences, safety and responsible behaviour.

Children are far more likely to seek help when something worries them online if they know they can talk openly to a trusted adult without fear of immediately losing access to their devices.

One useful way to support these conversations is to create a Digital Family Agreement or Family Online Safety Plan. Internet Matters provides an excellent free template that families can adapt to suit their own circumstances These agreements help families agree expectations around screen time, communication, online behaviour, privacy settings and what to do if something goes wrong online.

Creating and reviewing an agreement together can help children develop healthy digital habits and ensure that everyone in the family understands how to use technology safely and responsibly.

Should there be a specific area of online safety that you would like more information about, please contact us. We are always happy to provide advice and support to families.