Online Safety
The introduction of the new Computing curriculum aims to equip pupils with the knowledge, understanding and skills to use information and communication technology creatively and purposefully. A key aspect of this lies in being digitally literate. Online technologies play a huge role and so providing a broad and balanced e-safety education at each key stage is vital to ensuring that pupils can navigate the online world safely and positively. Details of the discreet digital literacy lessons which your children will be taught during Computing lessons and PSHE lessons at St John’s C of E Middle School academy are provided on this page.
Online safety is well-embedded as part of our school practice and as well as the discreet units taught below, there are many other opportunities where children and staff focus and reinforce staying safe online across the complete Computing curriculum, across other curriculum areas, during school assemblies and through enrichment activities. You can also view our school online safety policy here.
We also provide e-safety awareness advice and training for staff, parents/carers and other stakeholders. All staff received Online safety training and complete an annual certificate in Online Safety. The Online safety policy has been created for the trust and moderated by Bromsgrove Middle School Leadership Partnership. High quality leadership and management make e-safety a priority across all areas of the school.
Progressive Curriculum
KS2 National Curriculum: use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content, contact or conduct on the internet or other online technologies.
Computing | PSHE | |
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Year 5 |
A half-term dedicated to online safety, including:
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Autumn 1: Anti-Bullying Links are made throughout the whole topic and online bullying is a core theme throughout the six lessons. |
Year 6 |
Online safety embedded into all topics reinforcing, keeping safe and how to take and use digital images. |
Spring 2: Healthy Online Relationships. Children learn about how to form healthy online relationships including where to access support if needed.
Summer 2: The Wider World and Relationships. Staying Safe online. Children learn about how to trust online content and people they may ‘meet’ online. |
KS3 National curriculum: understand a range of ways to use technology safely, respectfully, responsibly and securely, including protecting their online identity and privacy; recognise inappropriate content, contact and conduct, and know-how to report concerns.
Computing | PSHE | |
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Year 7 |
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Summer 2: Cyberbullying and safer online relationships are taught. |
Year 8 |
A half-term dedicated to teaching Online safety including:
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Autumn 2: How to rust online content and people they ‘met’ online is revisited. Children also learn how to keep data private online |
As a parent, you'll know how important the Internet is to children - they use it to learn, explore, play, socialise, and express themselves. It's a creative place of wonderful opportunities. However, the technology children use every day can seem a bit daunting, and you might worry about the risks your child can face online - such as bullying, contact from strangers, or the possibility of them seeing illegal or inappropriate content.
To help engage with your children regarding their use of the Internet while at home. Here are some conversation starter ideas from www.childnet.com
- Ask your children to tell you about the sites they like to visit and what they enjoy doing online.
- Ask them about how they stay safe online. What tips do they have for you, and where did they learn them? What is OK and not OK to share?
- Ask them if they know where to go for help, find the safety advice, privacy settings, and how to report or block on the services they use.
- Could you encourage them to help? Perhaps they can show you how to do something better online, or they might have a friend who would benefit from their help and support.
- Think about how you use the Internet as a family. What could you do to get more out of the internet together and further enjoy your lives online?
Find out more about how to stay safe online
Useful e-safety websites:
Smartphone Safe - If you would like to know more information on keeping your child safe when using a smartphone, here is a handy and informative link here.
Childnet is a great website resource for parents and children on online safety.
Internet Matters is another great site to use - it has advice on cyberbullying, how to talk to your children about Internet safety, and quick guides to different social media types such as Instagram and Snapchat.
Here are quick links to a range of Internet safety sites that you may find useful too...
BBC WebWise
NSPCC Net Aware
Digizen
Safer Internet
Kidsmart
CEOP Police Report
The digital world is moving at such a pace that it is necessary to try to stay on top of events in today's world. No child should have a Facebook account until they are 13 years of age. School cannot be responsible for many of the problems encountered from social media relationships and issues, and either the police or CEOP should be directly referred to for support.
Guidance on social media information sheet.
CEOP Primary KS2: This short film is called 'Jigsaw' and is suitable for KS2 Primary School children (8 -10 years); the approximate running time is 8 minutes. This short film is produced by the Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and is being delivered to schools all over the UK through their ‘ThinkUknow’ Programme.
The NSPCC have launched a series of videos and information links that can support parents/carers in talking to their children about the safe use of the Internet.
The campaign ‘Share Aware’ is aimed at parents/carers of children ranging from age 8 to 12 years and is helpful in understanding online safety. The campaign is intended to support parents/carers in having effective conversations about staying safe online.
Furthermore, the NSPCC has a free resource - Net Aware - to which they have now added 12 new sites, apps and games in their campaign for online safety. Parents/Carers are encouraged to use the interactive resources to assist conversations with their children.
The site explains what other parents and young people think about 60 of the most popular social apps and games, the right age, and details on privacy and safety settings.
An additional resource is available for parents to access, which informs specifically about child sexual exploitation.
This site helps explain the indicators of when a child might be being exploited, appreciate the impact child sexual exploitation can have on families and know what to do if you suspect a child might be at risk of this abuse.
Whilst we all hope that such situations will be far removed from our children, it is essential to be kept informed and so we trust by sharing this information with you, we are assisting in this process.
There is a lot of information on the Common Sense Media website that parents/carers will find useful regarding games, apps, videos, and age ratings and suitability.