The Teaching and Learning of Online Safety at Grove Vale
Online Safety is an important part of keeping children safe at Grove Vale. We have extensive security measures in place in school, which are monitored both internally and externally, to help safeguard pupils from potential dangers or unsuitable material. Any online safety incidents are recorded and managed in accordance with our online safety policy. This subject area is taught alongside our computing curriculum and also daily discrete discussions and learning. In addition to this, we ensure that we utilise all opportunities to embed online safety knowledge and values across the school throughout discussions and additional teaching and learning time such as assemblies and themed days. We aim for all pupils to be able to explain and demonstrate how to stay safe and behave appropriately as a valued digital citizen of the world.
Safeguarding Safety Team
As part of our online safety initiative in school, we have a "Safety Team", who promote online safety and support safeguarding within school. We have a number of children, who have remained Online Safety Champions from the previous year and had added to the team with a number of new members from each class this year.
The safety team meet multiple times per half term and aim to raise the profile of areas linking to safeguarding and online safety.
This year, Online Safety Champions helped to design the application form for member of the new "Safety Team".
Autumn Agenda
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Discuss steps taken in the previous years (areas we have improved and next steps for 2024/25).
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Discuss areas that we would like to focus on this year.
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Discuss the EYFS and Year 3 parent workshop.
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Discuss new structure of The Online Safety Team/Safeguarding Team.
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Get children to reapply for new members and interview new candidates.
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Feedback to governors regarding our online safety in school and filtering and monitoring.
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Discuss the Online Safeguarding Team in assembly.
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Gather ideas for this year and The Grove Valer.
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Our first meeting of the Online Safety Group with Mrs Bunch and governors.
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Collect data/information to inform Spring next steps.
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Produce content for the Grove Valer.
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Plan and produce content for the Christmas competition.
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Meet with the Safety Team (governors and SIPS in attendance).
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Share Christmas competition
Challenges Set in 2024:
Green Time To Screen Time - Identify when, how and for how long we use technology. Record this for one week of our time and do the same for a second week. On the second week try and be mindful of how much we are using technology and try and ensure we balance the use of it. Think about the importance of having screen time and having time offline to connect with friends, family, enjoy a range of hobbies, etc.
Technology In The Home - Where do we use technology? Who monitors our technology? Do we access with a family member? Use this challenge to think about how we access technology, who with and where in the house we do this. Think about if there are safer places than others to use technology within our houses. Consider what is safe and effective based on what we do at the moment and how this could be improved. Bring your pictures to class and discuss these with your teacher and safety team member.
Online Superhero - Think about what would be required of an online superhero. What could represent our learning in school and what powers might they have to safeguard us? Produce your own safeguarding superhero and and share this with your safety team.
Summer Challenge
Road Safety: Make a poster about how we can be safe when we are near or crossing a road. What information do we need to know? What signs might we experience?
Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day 2024:
We will be taking part in Safer Internet Day 2024 will take place on the 6th of February 2024 and during that week, focusing on the theme:
‘Inspiring change? Making a difference, managing influence and navigating change online’.
Safer Internet Day 2025:
We will be taking part in Safer Internet Day 2025 will take place on the 11th of February 2025 and during that week, focusing on the theme:
‘Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from online scams’.
The Online Safety Champion Challenge:
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Elements of Online Safety taken from the "Education for a Connected World" document.
Reporting
All of the children at Grove Vale are taught about the importance of being able to report any issues that they may have online. They discuss who to report to for different things and how vital it is to have an adult to be able to discuss any problems or issues that they may face online or in real life.
Working With Parents
We can only be successful in keeping children safe online if we work with parents to ensure the online safety message is consistent. It is important that parents speak to their children about how they can keep safe and behave appropriately online.
Online Safety Activities in School
Social Media Guidance
Online safety for children of all ages
Kidsmart
Internet Matters
Online safety for parents and teachers
NSPCC
UK Safer Safer Internet Centre
Gov
thinkuknow - CEOP
Gaming
If not managed correctly, children using modern computer game consoles can be exposed to inappropriate content and have contact with numerous strangers online. Please read our 'Dangers of Online Gaming' leaflet and use the PDFs below to set up parental controls on your consoles and digital devices online.
Internet Matters
Gaming How to keep your child safe whilst gaming
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