Commitment to online safety

Our promise to keep children safe online

At Children's Support Service, we are committed to providing a safe and secure online environment for all our pupils. We recognise that technology and the internet are integral to learning, communication and daily life, but also present risks that we must actively manage and mitigate.

Our commitment to online safety is embedded within our safeguarding responsibilities. We ensure that all staff undergo safeguarding and child protection training (including online safety) at induction, with regular updates provided at least annually through emails, e-bulletins and staff meetings to continue to provide them with relevant skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively.

We ensure that children are taught about how to keep themselves and others safe, including online. We recognise that effective education will be tailored to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of individual children, including children who are victims of abuse, and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

How do we take a whole-school approach to online safety?

We play a crucial role in preventative education. Our preventative education is most effective in the context of a whole-school approach that prepares pupils for life in modern Britain and creates a culture of zero tolerance for sexism, misogyny/misandry, homophobia, biphobic and sexual violence/harassment.

Our online safety strategy is underpinned by:

• Our clear set of values and standards, upheld and demonstrated throughout all aspects of school life
• Our behaviour and relationships policy and pastoral support system
• A planned programme of evidence-based education delivered in regularly timetabled lessons and reinforced throughout the whole curriculum
• Age and stage-appropriate content, especially when considering the needs of children with SEND and disabilities and other vulnerabilities

What do we teach children about online safety at each key stage?

Key Stage 1 (Ages 5-7)

At Key Stage 1, we introduce online safety through age-appropriate experiences:

What children learn:

• Basic internet safety rules
• How to keep personal information private
• Understanding that not everything online is true
• Knowing who to talk to if something online makes them uncomfortable
• Being kind to others online
• Understanding that people online may not be who they say they are
• How to use technology safely and respectfully

How we support them:

• Simple, clear rules about using devices
• Stories and activities that teach about online kindness
• Regular reminders about asking for help from trusted adults
• Learning through play and age-appropriate resources

Key Stage 2 (Ages 7-11)

At Key Stage 2, we deepen children's understanding of online safety:

What children learn:

• How to protect their personal information and understand privacy settings
• Recognising and responding to online risks
• Being kind and respectful online, and understanding the impact of their words
• Critical thinking about online content and reliability of information
• Understanding digital footprints and online reputation
• Recognising when people online may not be who they say they are
• How to report concerns and block unwanted contact
• Understanding age restrictions on apps, games and social media

How we support them:

• PSHE lessons that explore online scenarios and dilemmas
• Computing curriculum that builds digital literacy skills
• Class discussions about real-world online situations
• Participation in Safer Internet Day and Anti-Bullying Week
• Learning to use reporting tools and safety features

Key Stage 3 (Ages 11-14)

At Key Stage 3, we build on pupils' understanding and encourage critical thinking:

What children learn:

• Healthy and respectful relationships, boundaries, consent and kindness in relationships, stereotyping, prejudice and equality, body confidence and self-esteem, and how to recognise and report concerns about an abusive relationship, including coercive and controlling behaviour
• The concepts of, and laws relating to all forms of sexual harassment and abuse, and how to access support, and what constitutes sexual harassment and sexual violence and why these are always unacceptable, emphasising that it is never the fault of the person experiencing it
• Understanding online sexual harassment, including:
  • Consensual and non-consensual sharing of nude and semi-nude images and/or videos (taking and sharing nude photographs of those aged under 18 is a criminal offence)
  • Sharing of unwanted explicit content, sexualised online bullying, unwanted sexual comments and messages, including on social media
  • Sexual exploitation; coercion and threats, and coercing others into sharing images of themselves or performing acts they're not comfortable with online
• Understanding consent - that a child under the age of 13 can never consent to any sexual activity, the age of consent is 16, and sexual intercourse without consent is rape
• Recognising online grooming and exploitation
• Understanding the permanence of online actions
• Managing online relationships and friendships
• Recognising and avoiding online scams and phishing
• Understanding the impact of social media on mental health and wellbeing
• Critically evaluating online information and identifying misinformation

How we support them:

• Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education delivered through regularly timetabled lessons
• Safe spaces for discussing issues and fostering respect for different perspectives
• Age-appropriate resources that tackle current online risks
• Opportunities to develop critical thinking and digital resilience

Key Stage 4 (Ages 14-16)

At Key Stage 4, we prepare pupils to be safe, informed digital citizens:

What children learn:

• Supporting children to develop the skills that form the building blocks of all positive relationships, healthy and respectful relationships, boundaries, consent and kindness in relationships
• In-depth understanding of online sexual harassment and abuse, and how to access support
• Understanding the legal implications of online behaviour, including sharing images
• Recognising and responding to online radicalisation and extremism
• Managing their digital identity and online reputation for future education and employment
• Understanding how algorithms, targeted advertising and data collection work
• Critically analysing online content, including news, social media and influencer culture
• Understanding the impact of screen time and developing healthy digital habits
• Recognising coercive control in online relationships
• Understanding their rights and responsibilities in digital spaces

How we support them:

• RSE and Health Education tailored to their needs and stage of development
• Preparation for life in modern Britain through a whole-school approach
• Discussions about real-world scenarios and case studies
• Links to careers, employability and digital citizenship
• Empowerment to make informed, safe choices online

How do we teach online safety across the curriculum?

Online safety education is embedded across our curriculum and is tailored to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of individual children.

Students are taught about online safety through:

• PSHE lessons
• Computing curriculum
• National initiatives such as Safer Internet Day and Anti-Bullying Week

We follow recognised frameworks to ensure learning is:

• Age-appropriate and progressive
• Relevant to current online risks
• Designed to build digital resilience and critical thinking

What are the "4 Cs" of online risk?

Students learn about key risks using the "4 Cs" model:

• Content – harmful or inappropriate material
• Contact – online interactions with others
• Conduct – behaviour online (including cyberbullying)
• Commerce – scams, advertising, and financial risks

How do we keep our safeguarding and filtering systems effective?

Whilst it is essential that we ensure appropriate filtering and monitoring systems are in place, we are careful that "over blocking" does not lead to unreasonable restrictions as to what children can be taught with regard to online teaching and safeguarding.

We maintain robust systems that:

• Filter inappropriate content whilst allowing access to educational resources
• Monitor online activity to identify potential safeguarding concerns
• Are regularly reviewed and updated to respond to emerging risks
• Balance protection with pupils' freedom to learn and explore safely

How do we train our staff in online safety?

All staff receive:

• Safeguarding and child protection training (including online safety) at induction, which includes an understanding of the expectations, applicable roles and responsibilities in relation to filtering and monitoring
• Regular safeguarding and child protection updates, including online safety (for example, via email, e-bulletins, staff meetings) as required, and at least annually

We recognise the expertise staff build by undertaking safeguarding training and from managing safeguarding concerns on a daily basis. We provide opportunity for staff to contribute to and shape safeguarding arrangements and the child protection policy.

Our safeguarding training for staff, including online safety training, is integrated, aligned and considered as part of our whole school safeguarding approach and wider staff training and curriculum planning.

What resources do we use to support online safety?

We utilise the following resources to support our online safety education:

• DfE advice for schools: teaching online safety in schools
• UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) guidance: Education for a connected world
• UKCIS guidance: Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings working with children and young people
• The UKCIS external visitors guidance to ensure the maximum impact of any online safety sessions delivered by external visitors
• National Crime Agency's CEOP Education Programme: Protecting children and young people from online child sexual abuse through education
• Harmful online challenges and online hoaxes - including advice on preparing for any online challenges and hoaxes, sharing information with parents and carers and where to get help and support

How do we work with families?

We recognise that keeping children safe online is a shared responsibility. We work in partnership with parents and carers by:

• Providing regular information and guidance on online safety issues
• Sharing age-appropriate resources to support online safety at home
• Communicating emerging risks and how to respond to them
• Offering workshops and information sessions on online safety topics
• Being responsive to family concerns and questions about online safety

Who leads online safety at our school?

Online safety is led by our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Emily Valentine and supported by senior leaders, and the management committee. Concerns are taken seriously, recorded, and acted upon in line with safeguarding procedures.

How can students stay safe online?

The internet is a powerful tool for learning, creativity, and staying connected, but it is important to use it safely and respectfully.

We support both primary and secondary students to:

• Protect their personal information
• Recognise unsafe or inappropriate content
• Understand online relationships and behaviour
• Know what to do if something doesn't feel right

What are the key safety reminders for students?

Students are reminded to:

• Never share personal details, passwords, or images with people they do not know or trust
• Think carefully about what they post and share online
• Be respectful to others and report any form of online bullying or harmful behaviour

What should students do if they are worried?

We encourage all students to speak up if they feel uncomfortable, worried, or unsafe online.

Students can:

• Speak to a trusted adult (teacher, support staff, parent/carer)
• Report concerns directly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Emily Valentine at emily.valentine@css-essex.co.uk
• Use platform reporting tools or external support services

All concerns are taken seriously and will be responded to in line with our safeguarding procedures.

What are the key safety tips for students?

🤔 Think before you post

Content shared online can last forever.

🔒 Protect personal information

Never share passwords or private details with strangers.

⚠️ Be aware of online risks

Understand risks linked to content, contact, conduct, and commerce.

📢 Use reporting tools

Use tools such as Report Remove (for under 18s) or in-app reporting features.

💬 Ask for help

Always speak to a trusted adult if something feels wrong.

Where can students and families find more support?

Students and their families can access further advice and support from:

• Childline – www.childline.org.uk
• CEOP (Thinkuknow) – www.thinkuknow.co.uk
• NSPCC – www.nspcc.org.uk
• UK Safer Internet Centre – www.saferinternet.org.uk
• Report Remove – report harmful images for under 18s: Report Remove | Childline
• Report Harmful Content – www.reportharmfulcontent.com

How do we ensure online safety is everyone's responsibility?

Online safety is everyone's responsibility. We take a whole-school approach by:

• Training all staff regularly on safeguarding and online safety
• Monitoring and filtering school systems to protect users
• Recording and responding to online safety concerns
• Working in partnership with parents, carers, and external agencies

By working together, we aim to ensure that every student feels safe, supported, and empowered in their online experiences.

For more information about our online safety procedures, please refer to our Online Safety Policy or contact Emily Valentine, Designated Safeguarding Lead, at emily.valentine@css-essex.co.uk

This commitment to online safety should be read alongside our safeguarding and child protection policy, acceptable use policies, behaviour policy, and anti-bullying policy. Together, these create a comprehensive framework for keeping children safe both online and offline.