Online Safety
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Children have the right to enjoy childhood online, to access safe online spaces, and to benefit from all the opportunities that a connected world can bring to them, appropriate to their age and stage.
As they grow older, it is crucial that they learn to balance the benefits offered by technology with a critical awareness of their own and other’s online behaviour and develop effective strategies for staying safe and making a positive contribution online.
“Growing up has never been easy, but today the virtual world presents a whole set of new risks. Young people live in an always-on, social, digital and connected world, and it’s the only world they’ve ever known. While the internet brings amazing opportunities for young people to learn, create and socialise, it is our duty to help them navigate this online world safely. Young people must recognise that every click, every post, every purchase and every photo we upload leaves a digital footprint.”
UK Minister for Internet Safety and Security
Online safety is an important part of keeping children safe at our school. 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 and online safety is taught to all pupils explaining and demonstrating how to stay safe and behave appropriately online.
At Tyntesfield, we are totally committed to safeguarding children and to a culture of vigilance. Online Safety is a core aspect of our work, not an ‘add on’ and an important part of keeping children safe. Our Online Safety Framework in partnership with our Computing curriculum enables pupils to develop into successful, safe and responsible participants in our ever-changing digital world.
Together, at home and at school, we can empower our children to access the digital world creatively, critically, knowledgeably and safely, with a mindful approach to the impact of screen time, gaming and social media on wellbeing and mental health.
Online Safety at Tyntesfield Primary School is overseen by Helen Johnson, our Safeguarding Governor and Kerry Cleary our Safeguarding Trustee. It is also annually audited by an external safeguarding consultant.
Online Safety Curriculum
Online Safety is taught continually and integrally to all pupils throughout school. Our Online Safety Curriculum Framework aims to equip children with the skills, knowledge and values they will need as they grow up and enter an ever-changing, increasingly digital society. Today, the importance of teaching our children from a young age to be digitally literate cannot be overstated.
In 2018, the UK government released Education For A Connected World. This curriculum framework provides guidance on supporting children and young people to navigate the digital world safely.
It specifically focuses on:
In each area, it describes the skills and understanding children and young people should have the opportunity to develop at different ages and stages.
These 8 areas of online safety fall under one of the three Computing Strands, Digital Literacy.