Online safety

At Lynsted and Norton Primary School we are committed to the use of computer technologies and recognise the use of computers and the Internet as a valuable tool for learners of all ages.

We also acknowledge that computers and the internet do have the potential for inappropriate use and access to undesirable material and that we have a duty of care to protect our pupils.

All pupils use computer facilities, including the internet, as an essential part of the curriculum and to support learning opportunities within the school. There are well publicised concerns regarding access to material on the Internet that would be unsuitable for pupils. Whilst it is impossible to ensure that all pupils will not access such material, the school in liaison with Education in IT Services Kent (EIS) takes all reasonable steps to minimise a pupil’s access to unsuitable material. These include:

• Use of a filtered Internet Service to prevent access to internet sites with undesirable material.
• The requirement that wherever possible, all child Internet access during school hours will be supervised by a member of staff or another responsible adult
• The following of Internet Rules which we share with parents and pupils.
• Dedicated teaching of e-safety at the start of the year, which principals are continued throughout the year 

Due to the increase and the accessible nature of the technologies we and the pupils use, they may at times find themselves on the receiving end of unwanted behaviour. This is an area where the school and parental partnership are vital. We as a school will support you and your children, you can in the first instant help by being vigilant when allowing your children on the internet, monitor what they are doing and encourage them to behave responsibly and kindly at all times. At school we inform children of safe practices, make them aware of what behaviours are acceptable and morally right, and support children when they are being targeted. We also model acceptable, thoughtful and responsible internet use through our own use of emails and photographs and the way we behave on the school website.

More information for parents on online safety can be found by clicking here.

If you have concerns re an individual and their actions and the way they are communicating  online contact CEOP. CEOP is here to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online. CEOP are unable to respond to reports about bullying, fake accounts or account hacking.

Our designated safeguarding leads have a good awareness of online safety and keep as up-to- date as possible. Should you have any concerns please don't hesitate to contact them.

Check the newsletter for regular updates on online safety.

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