Online Safety Policy

Online Safety and Acceptable Use Policy

1. Aims

Our school aims to: 

• Have robust processes in place to ensure the online safety of pupils, staff, volunteers and governors
• Deliver an effective approach to online safety, which empowers us to protect and educate the whole school community in its use of technology, including mobile and smart technology (which we refer to as ‘mobile phones’)
• Establish clear mechanisms to identify, intervene and escalate an incident, where appropriate

2. Legislation and guidance

This policy is based on the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) statutory safeguarding guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education, and its advice for schools on:

• Teaching online safety in schools
• Preventing and tackling bullying and cyber-bullying: advice for headteachers and school staff
• Relationships and sex education
• Searching, screening and confiscation

It also refers to the DfE’s guidance on protecting children from radicalisation.

It reflects existing legislation, including but not limited to the Education Act 1996 (as amended), the Education and Inspections Act 2006 and the Equality Act 2010. In addition, it reflects the Education Act 2011, which has given teachers stronger powers to tackle cyber-bullying by, if necessary, searching for and deleting inappropriate images or files on pupils’ electronic devices where they believe there is a ‘good reason’ to do so.

The policy also takes into account the National Curriculum computing programmes of study.

3. Roles and responsibilities

3.1 The governing board

The governing board has overall responsibility for monitoring this policy and holding the headteacher to account for its implementation.

The governing board will co-ordinate regular meetings with appropriate staff to discuss online safety, and monitor online safety logs as provided by the designated safeguarding lead (DSL).

The governor who oversees online safety is Mrs Sue Gandy

All governors will:

• Ensure that they have read and understand this policy
• Agree and adhere to the terms on acceptable use of the school’s ICT systems and the internet (appendix 3)
• Ensure that online safety is a running and interrelated theme while devising and implementing their whole school or college approach to safeguarding and related policies and/or procedures
• Ensure that, where necessary, teaching about safeguarding, including online safety, is adapted for vulnerable children, victims of abuse and some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This is because of the importance of recognising that a ‘one size fits all’ approach may not be appropriate for all children in all situations, and a more personalised or contextualised approach may often be more suitable

3.2 The Headteacher

The headteacher is responsible for ensuring that staff understand this policy, and that it is being implemented consistently throughout the school.

3.3 The Designated Safeguarding Lead

Details of the school’s designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and Deputy are set out in our child protection and safeguarding policy as well as relevant job descriptions.

The DSL takes lead responsibility for online safety in school, in particular:

• Supporting the headteacher in ensuring that staff understand this policy and that it is being implemented consistently throughout the school
• Working with the headteacher, ICT manager and other staff, as necessary, to address any online safety issues or incidents
• Managing all online safety issues and incidents in line with the school child protection policy
• Ensuring that any online safety incidents are logged (see appendix 6) and dealt with appropriately in line with this policy
• Ensuring that any incidents of cyber-bullying are logged and dealt with appropriately in line with the school behaviour policy
• Updating and delivering staff training on online safety (appendix 5 contains a self-audit for staff on online safety training needs)
• Liaising with other agencies and/or external services if necessary
• Providing regular reports on online safety in school to the headteacher and/or governing board

This list is not intended to be exhaustive.

3.4 School ICT support & Computing Leader

The School ICT support and computing leader are responsible for:

• Putting in place an appropriate level of security protection procedures, such as filtering and monitoring systems, which are reviewed and updated on a regular basis to assess effectiveness and ensure pupils are kept safe from potentially harmful and inappropriate content and contact online while at school, including terrorist and extremist material
• Ensuring that the school’s ICT systems are secure and protected against viruses and malware, and that such safety mechanisms are updated regularly
• Conducting a full security check and monitoring the school’s ICT systems on a monthly basis
• Blocking access to potentially dangerous sites and, where possible, preventing the downloading of potentially dangerous files
• Ensuring that any online safety incidents are logged (see appendix 6) and dealt with appropriately in line with this policy
• Ensuring that any incidents of cyber-bullying are dealt with appropriately in line with the school behaviour policy

This list is not intended to be exhaustive.

3.5 All staff and volunteers

All staff, including contractors and agency staff, and volunteers are responsible for:

• Maintaining an understanding of this policy
• Implementing this policy consistently
• Agreeing and adhering to the terms on acceptable use of the school’s ICT systems and the internet (appendix 3), and ensuring that pupils follow the school’s terms on acceptable use (appendices 1 and 2)
• Working with the DSL to ensure that any online safety incidents are logged (see appendix 6) and dealt with appropriately in line with this policy
• Ensuring that any incidents of cyber-bullying are dealt with appropriately in line with the school behaviour policy
• Responding appropriately to all reports and concerns about sexual violence and/or harassment, both online and offline and maintaining an attitude of ‘it could happen here’

This list is not intended to be exhaustive.

3.6 Parents

Parents are expected to:

• Notify a member of staff or the headteacher of any concerns or queries regarding this policy
• Ensure their child has read, understood and agreed to the terms on acceptable use of the school’s ICT systems and internet (appendices 1 and 2)

Parents can seek further guidance on keeping children safe online from the following organisations and websites:

• What are the issues? – UK Safer Internet Centre
• Hot topics – Childnet International
• Parent resource sheet – Childnet International

3.7 Visitors and members of the community

Visitors and members of the community who use the school’s ICT systems or internet will be made aware of this policy, when relevant, and expected to read and follow it. If appropriate, they will be expected to agree to the terms on acceptable use (appendix 3). 

4. Educating pupils about online safety

Pupils will be taught about online safety as part of the curriculum:

It is also taken from the guidance on relationships education, relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education.

All schools have to teach:

• Relationships education and health education in primary schools
• Relationships and sex education and health education in secondary schools

In Key Stage 1, pupils will be taught to:

• Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private
• Identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies

Pupils in Key Stage 2 will be taught to:

• Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly
• Recognise acceptable and unacceptable behaviour
• Identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact

By the end of primary school, pupils will know:

• That people sometimes behave differently online, including by pretending to be someone they are not
• That the same principles apply to online relationships as to face-to-face relationships, including the importance of respect for others online including when we are anonymous
• The rules and principles for keeping safe online, how to recognise risks, harmful content and contact, and how to report them
• How to critically consider their online friendships and sources of information including awareness of the risks associated with people they have never met
• How information and data is shared and used online
• What sorts of boundaries are appropriate in friendships with peers and others (including in a digital context)
• How to respond safely and appropriately to adults they may encounter (in all contexts, including online) whom they do not know

The safe use of social media and the internet will also be covered in other subjects where relevant.

Where necessary, teaching about safeguarding, including online safety, will be adapted for vulnerable children, victims of abuse and some pupils with SEND.

5. Educating parents about online safety

The school will raise parents’ awareness of internet safety in letters or other communications home, and in information via our website and via our Newsletters. This policy will also be shared with parents.

Online safety will also be covered on our curriculum maps sent home termly.

The school will let parents know:

• What systems the school uses to filter and monitor online use
• What their children are being asked to do online, including the sites they will be asked to access and who from the school (if anyone) their child will be interacting with online

If parents have any queries or concerns in relation to online safety, these should be raised in the first instance with the headteacher and/or the DSL.

Concerns or queries about this policy can be raised with any member of staff or the headteacher.

6. Cyber-bullying

6.1 Definition

Cyber-bullying takes place online, such as through social networking sites, messaging apps or gaming sites. Like other forms of bullying, it is the repetitive, intentional harming of 1 person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. (See also the school behaviour policy.)

6.2 Preventing and addressing cyber-bullying

To help prevent cyber-bullying, we will ensure that pupils understand what it is and what to do if they become aware of it happening to them or others. We will ensure that pupils know how they can report any incidents and are encouraged to do so, including where they are a witness rather than the victim.

To help prevent cyber-bullying, we will ensure that pupils understand what it is and what to do if they become aware of it happening to them or others. We will ensure that pupils know how they can report any incidents and are encouraged to do so, including where they are a witness rather than the victim. The school will actively discuss cyber-bullying with pupils, explaining the reasons why it occurs, the forms it may take and what the consequences can be.

Class teachers will discuss cyber-bullying with their class and the issue will be addressed in assemblies. Teaching staff are also encouraged to find opportunities to use aspects of the curriculum to cover cyberbullying. This includes personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education, and other subjects where appropriate.

All staff, governors and volunteers (where appropriate) receive training on cyber-bullying, its impact and ways to support pupils, as part of safeguarding training. The school also sends information/leaflets on cyber-bullying to parents so that they are aware of the signs, how to report it and how they can support children who may be affected. In relation to a specific incident of cyber-bullying, the school will follow the processes set out in the school anti-bullying policy. Where illegal, inappropriate or harmful material has been spread among pupils, the school will use all reasonable endeavours to ensure the incident is contained. The DSL will consider whether the incident should be reported to the police if it involves illegal material, and will work with external services if it is deemed necessary to do so.

Sexting In cases where this is reported to school we will follow the UK Council for Internet Safety Guidance ‘Sexting in Schools and Colleges’.

6.3 Examining electronic devices

School staff have the specific power under the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (which has been increased by the Education Act 2011) to search for and, if necessary, delete inappropriate images or files on pupils’ electronic devices, including mobile phones, iPads and other tablet devices, where they believe there is a ‘good reason’ to do so. When deciding whether there is a good reason to examine or erase data or files on an electronic device, staff must reasonably suspect that the data or file in question has been, or could be, used to:

• Cause harm, and/or

• Disrupt teaching, and/or

• Break any of the school rules

If inappropriate material is found on the device, it is up to the staff member in conjunction with the DSL or other member of the senior leadership team to decide whether they should:

• Delete that material, or

• Retain it as evidence (of a criminal offence or a breach of school discipline), and/or

• Report it to the police

Any searching of pupils will be carried out in line with the DfE’s latest guidance on screening, searching and confiscation.

Any complaints about searching for or deleting inappropriate images or files on pupils’ electronic devices will be dealt with through the school complaints procedure.

7. Acceptable use of the internet in school

All pupils, parents, staff, volunteers and governors are expected to sign an agreement regarding the acceptable use of the school’s ICT systems and the internet (appendices 1 to 3). Visitors will be expected to read and agree to the school’s terms on acceptable use if relevant. The following outlines this further.

• All children, on induction to the school, are required to consent to the use of photographs, videos and appearance in local (or national) media. An up-to-date list of permissions is kept in the school office, where staff can access them prior to taking any pictures and videos. A child’s parents/carers can change these permissions at any time by notifying the school office, where a new form will need to be completed and signed.
• Use of the school’s internet must be for educational purposes only, or for the purpose of fulfilling the duties of an individual’s role. 
• Full names or personal details will not be used on any digital media that is published.
• Parents/Carers are permitted to video or photograph certain school events, such as school productions and assemblies. Parents will be reminded not to share images on social media or video sharing sites.
• Events may be recorded by the school, or by a private company assigned by the school, and later made available for parents/Carers to purchase. Parents/Carers who do not wish their child to be photographed/recorded can express these wishes to the Head teacher or other staff, who will make appropriate arrangements.
• Staff are trained to understand the risks associated with publishing images and the school policy of not publishing an image where it can be linked to the name of a child.
• Photographs/videos should only be taken using school equipment, for school purposes. This content should only be stored on equipment that is for predominantly school use. Staff should always make sure that children are appropriately dressed and not participating in activities that could be misinterpreted.
• All staff, parents/carers, and pupils are made aware of the dangers of publishing images and videos of pupils or adults on Social Network sites without the consent of the persons involved. - See the school's Social Media Policy.
• The guidelines for safe practice and relevant Acceptable Use Policies are monitored every year by the Headteacher as required.
• Visitors will be expected to read and agree to the school’s terms on acceptable use if relevant. Use of the school’s internet must be for educational purposes only, or for the purpose of fulfilling the duties of an individual’s role.

We will monitor the websites visited by pupils, staff, volunteers, governors and visitors (where relevant) to ensure they comply with the above. More information is set out in the acceptable use agreements in appendices 1 to 3.

Social Media

• The use of social media networks by staff is covered in the school Social Media Policy.

8. Pupils using mobile devices in school

Mobile phones for children are not permitted in school.

All mobile phones brought into school by pupils are held in the school office until the end of the school day.

Any breach of the acceptable use agreement by a pupil may trigger disciplinary action in line with the school behaviour policy, which may result in the confiscation of their device.

9. Staff using work devices outside school

Staff mobile phones should be stored securely in bags or cupboards, not kept out on desks/surfaces in the classroom.

Staff are not permitted to make or take phone calls on their mobile phones in lesson time.

Phone calls can be taken/made in breaks/lunchtime but a quiet, private area away from children or other staff must be used.

Staff are NOT permitted to take any images of pupils/school on their mobile phones. 

Staff are NOT permitted to share photos or information regarding children on staff WhatsApp groups

Social Media

The use of social media networks by staff is covered in the school Social Media Policy.

Visitors using mobile phones in school

Visitors to school are not permitted to use their mobile phones to make or take calls within the school building. They must leave the premises to do this. This information will be shared with visitors through the ‘Visitor Information Sheet’ at the School Office Desk. Parent visitors attending Assemblies may take photographs of their child, but these must be of their child only and must only before personal use (i.e. not shared on social media).

Staff using work devices outside school

Staff members using a work device outside school must not install any unauthorised software on the device and must not use the device in any way which would violate the school’s terms of acceptable use, as set out in appendix 3.

Staff must ensure that their work device is secure and password-protected, and that they do not share their password with others. They must take all reasonable steps to ensure the security of their work device when using it outside school.

Any USB devices containing data relating to the school cannot be used due to threat of loss. (GDPR regulations)

If staff have any concerns over the security of any their device, they must seek advice from the Computing Lead. Work devices must be used solely for work activities. During school trips, staff will be required to carry mobile phones. Contact details will be left with the base contact for emergency purposes.

10. How the school will respond to issues of misuse

Where a pupil misuses the school’s ICT systems or internet, we will follow the procedures set out in the behaviour policy.

The action taken will depend on the individual circumstances, nature and seriousness of the specific incident, and will be proportionate.

Where a staff member misuses the school’s ICT systems or the internet, or misuses a personal device where the action constitutes misconduct, the matter will be dealt with in accordance with the staff disciplinary procedures.

The action taken will depend on the individual circumstances, nature and seriousness of the specific incident. The school will consider whether incidents which involve illegal activity or content, or otherwise serious incidents, should be reported to the police.

Dealing with incidents

In the event that a Digital Safety incident occurs, that contravenes the Online Safety Policy or agreed Acceptable Use Policy, it is important the protocol below will be followed. It is important to distinguish between illegal and inappropriate use of ICT. All incidents will be logged in the incident log.

Illegal offences

Any suspected illegal material or activity must be brought to the immediate attention of the Head teacher who must refer this to external authorities, e.g. Police, CEOP, Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).

The school will never personally investigate, interfere with or share evidence as this may inadvertently be committing an illegal offence.

11. Training

All new staff members will receive training, as part of their induction, on safe internet use and online safeguarding issues including cyber-bullying and the risks of online radicalisation.

All staff members will receive refresher training at least once each academic year as part of safeguarding training, as well as relevant updates as required (for example through emails, e-bulletins and staff meetings).

By way of this training, all staff will be made aware that:

• Technology is a significant component in many safeguarding and wellbeing issues, and that children are at risk of online abuse
• Children can abuse their peers online through:
• Abusive, harassing, and misogynistic messages
• Non-consensual sharing of indecent nude and semi-nude images and/or videos, especially around chat groups
• Sharing of abusive images and pornography, to those who don’t want to receive such content
• Physical abuse, sexual violence and initiation/hazing type violence can all contain an online element 

Training will also help staff:

• Develop better awareness to assist in spotting the signs and symptoms of online abuse
• Develop the ability to ensure pupils can recognise dangers and risks in online activity and can weigh up the risks
• Develop the ability to influence pupils to make the healthiest long-term choices and keep them safe from harm in the short term 

The DSL and Deputy will undertake child protection and safeguarding training, which will include online safety, at least every 2 years. They will also update their knowledge and skills on the subject of online safety at regular intervals, and at least annually.

Governors will receive training on safe internet use and online safeguarding issues as part of their safeguarding training.

Volunteers will receive appropriate training and updates, if applicable.

More information about safeguarding training is set out in our child protection and safeguarding policy.

12. Monitoring arrangements

The DSL logs behaviour and safeguarding issues related to online safety.

An incident report log can be found in appendix 6.

This policy will be reviewed annually.

At every review, the policy will be shared with the governing board. This is important because technology, and the risks and harms related to it, evolve and change rapidly.

13. Links with other policies

This online safety policy is linked to our:

• Safeguarding and Child protection policy
• Positive Behaviour policy
• Staff disciplinary procedures
• Data protection policy and privacy notices
• Complaints procedure

Date reviewed February 2023

Date of next review February 2024