Online Safety

Online Safety Bulletin - 6th December 2024

Online Safety Bulletin - 21st June 2024

OSA Parental Course - Online Safety

The internet offers a wealth of opportunities for our children - learning, creativity, and connection with friends. However, as parents, we also understand the potential risks that come with navigating the online world. Here at Alcester Academy, we're committed to working alongside you to ensure your child has a safe and positive online experience.

Aspects delivered in school

In school, we have a very clear internet safety policy, and each year students are educated how to stay safe online. This includes a combination of online e-safety lessons and resources delivered through ICT lessons, resources delivered to all year groups during tutor periods, and visiting providers such as Loudmouth educational theatre company covering particular topics within the PSHE curriculum.

Online Safety Alliance

We subscribe to the excellent resources provided by the Online Safety Alliance (OSA). During the Autumn terms in ICT lessons in years 7 and 8 all pupils gain access to this interactive online suite of resources which outlines topics including cybersecurity, relationships, online bullying, safe use of smartphones including airdrop technology, grooming and live streaming, digital footprint, use of social media and relevant privacy considerations, and how to seek help and report concerns. All interactive topics require completion of online assessments, when successfully completed pupils are presented with personalised certificates. In addition, during year 8 pupils undertake the OSA Artificial Intelligence course, providing them with an introduction to AI, how AI could be used to support learning, and how to use AI safely and responsibly.

Tutor Activities

Tutor activities are delivered through Google Classroom to all tutor groups in KS3 and KS4. Activities are age appropriate, some examples include;

• Year 7 - Introduction to online safety, social media profiles, safe use of social media, safe web surfing, and risks of using webcams.
• Year 8 - Relationships, grooming, cyberbullying, safer internet use, guidance when using apps such as Tiktok.
• Year 9 - Digital footprints, sexting, child sexual exploitation (CSE), trolling, cyberbullying.
• Year 10 - CSE; Kayleigh's love story (national resources provided by Leicestershire Police), trolling, cyberbullying, guidance using apps such as Tiktok and Snapchat.
• All years - The Murder Games (a hard-hitting video resource outlining risks of online gaming), other interactive video resources outlining risks associated with popular social media apps including Tiktop and Instagram.

Parental Guidance

If you understand the internet and what the associated risks are, there are a number of things you can do that make your child safer online. Included below are links that provide comprehensive guides for parents, advice and support.

• Internet Matters (www.internetmatters.org) provide a detailed resource called ‘My Family Digital Toolkit’ (My Family Digital Toolkit). Through answering a limited number of questions about internet use, this interactive tool allows parents and carers to have personalised, age specific advice and tips to support children online. This helps to learn about popular apps & platforms, and to get information about how to deal with any online safety concerns.
• Thinkuknow (www.thinkuknow.co.uk) is a site run by CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre) with up to date information for children and parents.
• UK Safer Internet Centre (www.saferinternet.org.uk) provide a parental guide to introduce some of the most popular communication devices, highlighting safety tools available.
• SWGFL (www.swgfl.org.uk/safe) provide online safety advice for parents, children and schools.

• A guide for parents on mobile phone issues guidance link
• Keeping up with children guidance link
• Internet addiction guidance link
• Cyberbullying guidance link
• Web searching safely guidance link
• E Safety, music, film and the internet guidance link
• Computer games and what you need to know guidance link
• Online gaming guidance link
• Computer games and your child guidance link
• Social networking guidance link

Reporting to school

If you have any questions, problems or concerns at school or at home with your child, family, or friends in relation to online safety, please contact us at Alcester Academy. We are here to support you and will do whatever we can.

CEOP

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre is the UK’s national child protection agency (visit www.ceop.police.uk for more information). Through the ClickCEOP advice & help centre, members of the public can access guidance on a broad range of topics to help protect their children, or alternatively report a concern directly to CEOP.

When should I report to CEOP?

If someone has acted inappropriately towards a child online, such as using sexualised chat, asking them to do something that makes them feel uncomfortable, or someone is insisting on meeting up you can report this using the CEOP button below.

https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/

Remember, online safety is a journey, not a destination. By working together, we can empower our children to become responsible digital citizens and thrive in the online world.