Online Safety (E-safety)

In school, we follow a structured curriculum for Computing which includes Online Safety lessons for classes from Year 1 to Year 6. These deliver key messages over time that are also reiterated in assemblies and through special events. Below are the KO (knowledge organisers) for each year group.

Dear Parent/Carer,  

In school, we are aware that many of our older pupils are using or accessing social media and using mobile communication devices.  While we value the use of technology and know how valuable it is to learning and recreation, we realise that it is incredibly difficult for young people to grow up in the modern world of technology and that supporting them with this at home can also be difficult.  

As part of our school computing curriculum, pupils already learn about safe online behaviour in school, with this revisited annually and additional reminders and discussions undertaken when issues arise. What we often see/hear in school is the gap between what our pupils know and tell us about being safe online and their actual actions online when not in school. 

With the above in mind, we would like to ask all of our Year 5 and 6 pupils, and you their parents and carers, to be proactive in discussing their use of the internet. Even for those pupils who have no known issues or have limited access, it would be well worth a regular check in, a look through their digital devices/social media accounts and having a discussion around responsible usage of technology. Some useful tips and questions for any discussion are: 

• Before looking at anything, ask your child if they are happy to share their devices and usage with you? Are they un/happy with this? Why? 

• Review what devices they can use to access the internet (phones, tablets, games consoles, watches...) 

• What information have they shared on social media profiles? (Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, WhatsApp....) What security settings do they have, can they explain these? 

• Share and discuss chat history on Apps and social media. Who do they talk to? What about? Do they take part in group chats? 

• Do they know how to report online issues? Can they take screen shots on their device? Do they know how to report things that they are not happy about? Do they have any concerns they need to share with you or school? 

• Are there any positives? Has internet usage helped learning, build friendships or to stay in touch with family? We don’t want to paint the internet and social media as all bad, but ensure they have a balanced view and understand what is age appropriate.  

Our school website contains vast amounts of information that may be of use to parents and carers when discussing any of the above. 

Kind regards, 

James Clay 

Head Teacher 

Manston Primary School 

0113 2645 445  

www.manstonprimary.co.uk 
Manston Primary School, Dennil Road, Leeds, LS15 8SD  

This year, many of us will be relying on tech over the festive period for entertainment and, most importantly, to keep in touch with friends and family. Please find below a useful guide for keeping children safe online this December. It has links to videos, worksheets and guides. 

Being social online this December: a parent's guide

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/parents-guide-being-social-online/

 

In school we are aware that many of our older pupils are using or accessing social media and mobile communication devices. We want to help ensure our pupils are responsible digital citizens and use technology to support themselves in their learning and to develop other interests they may have such as hobbies or sports. 

We also realise that it is incredibly difficult for young people to grow up in the modern world of and that supporting them with this at home can also be difficult. As part of our school computing curriculum pupils already learn about safe online behaviour in school, with this revisited annually. What we can often see in school is the gap between what our pupils know and tell us about being safe online and their actual actions online when not in school. 

With the above in mind we would like to ask all of our pupils, and you their parents and carers, to be proactive in discussing their use of the internet. Even for those pupils who have no issues and limited access it would be well worth a regular check in, a look through their digital devices\social media accounts and having a discussion around responsible usage of technology. Some useful tips and questions for any discussion are: 

• Before looking at anything ask your child if they are happy to share their devices and usage with you? Are they un/happy with this? Why? 

• Review what devices they can use to access the internet (phones, tablets, games consoles, watches...) 

• What information have they shared on social media profiles? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat....) What security settings do they have, can they explain these? 

• Share and discuss chat history on Apps and Social media. Who do they talk to? What about? Do they take part in group chats? 

• Do they know how to report online issues? Can they take screen shots on their device? Do they know how to report things that they are not happy about? 

• Do they have any concerns they need to share with you or school? 

• Are there any positives? Has internet usage helped learning, build friendships or stay in touch with family? We don’t want to paint the internet and social media as all bad but ensure they have a balanced view that is age appropriate. 

Our school website contains vast amounts of information (see below) that may be of use to parents and carers when discussing any of the above. 

Yours sincerely, 

Mr James Clay 

Head Teacher 

What is Parent Info?

Parent Info is a website for parents, covering all of the issues amplified by the internet. Its newsfeed function enables schools and family-focused organisations to host and share expert advice and information through their own websites.  

Parent Info is a collaboration between NCA-CEOP and Parent Zone. 

Parent Zone are the experts in digital family life. They provide support and information to parents, children and schools, working globally to help families navigate the internet safely and confidently. 

NCA-CEOP is the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command of the National Crime Agency, reaching over five million children and young people a year through its Thinkuknow education programme and regularly conveys its vital online safety messages to over 145,000 practitioners (such as social workers, teachers and police officers) registered to their network, who cascade these messages directly to children and young people.

How does Parent Info work? 

For more information about the free services and resources available for schools please visit the Schools page or read our Frequently Asked Questions

If you have another question or would like to discuss any aspect of Parent Info please contact them at support@parentinfo.org, or visit their website: https://parentinfo.org/. 

The Department for Education has commissioned the NSPCC to establish a dedicated independent helpline for people who have experienced sexual abuse in educational setting. 

The helpline went live on 1 April, and will provide both children and adults who have experienced sexual abuse in schools with support and advice, including onward action such as contacting the police if they wish to. The helpline will also provide support to parents and professionals. Anyone who gets in touch through this dedicated helpline will also be signposted to other relevant support services available, including Childline, which provides ongoing support and counselling to children and young people.

The dedicated and confidential NSPCC helpline – Report Abuse in Education can be reached on 0800 136 663 or by email at help@nspcc.org.uk.

Fortnite

The School Nursing Team have suggested that we share the following information with you:

 

"Many of you may be aware of the risks and concerns around children playing the online game Fortnite, which has a 12 rating but is played by much younger children.

 

We have been made aware of an emerging trend, where people are playing strip Fortnite using webcams. The rule is that when you achieve a “kill” you have to strip off, potentially adding an additional risk from children being exposed to and/or sharing indecent images whilst playing the game.

 

Instagram

Please follow the link to find out more about Instagram and the risks children face when using it: https://twitter.com/natonlinesafety/status/999327290361180160

Screen Addiction

As part of the #WakeUpWednesday campaign and Mental Health Awareness Week, the online safety team have created a FREE guide for schools to share with its community about ‘Screen Addiction’ – an issue which is affecting young people across the globe.

The guide informs parents about the issues associated with smartphone and screen addiction amongst children and how they can help to control the associated risks and stop their children becoming ‘Screen Zombies’.