Online Safety at Beaford Community Primary & Nursery School

At Beaford, we recognise the importance of teaching children how to stay safe online, as most young people access the internet from a variety of devices both at school and at home. Safe and responsible use of the internet is taught through our Personal Development Curriculum, reinforced in Assemblies and during Impact Days.

Our staff receive regular training on safeguarding and online safety, ensuring they are equipped to support children and handle any concerns that may arise. The school has clear Acceptable Use Policies (AUP) in place for both staff and pupils, outlining responsible behaviour online.

We also use Smoothwall for filtering and monitoring internet activity across the school. This helps protect children from harmful content and inappropriate online behaviour, ensuring a safe environment when using the internet on school devices and networks.

We encourage parents to be actively involved in their child’s online safety. It’s important to understand the risks associated with unsupervised internet access, particularly on mobile devices. We recommend that children use the internet in communal areas of the home where their online activity can be monitored.

Supporting Parents and Carers

There is a wealth of information available to help parents keep their children safe online. Below are some useful resources and links to trusted organisations that provide advice on internet safety, online behaviour, and setting up parental controls.

• Thinkyouknow
  (Advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online)

• Internet Matters
  (Support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)

• Parent Info
  (Expert advice to help parents keep children safe online)

• LGfL
  (Resources and support for parents and carers from the London Grid for Learning)

• Net Aware
  (NSPCC guide to the latest apps, games, and social media platforms children are using)

• National Online Safety
  (Free, up-to-date advice on safeguarding issues related to the internet)

• CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command)
  (Advice on keeping children safe online and reporting concerns)

• UK Safer Internet Centre
  (Tips, advice, and resources to support online safety)

• NSPCC - Online Safety
  (Comprehensive advice on online safety, covering topics like social media, gaming, and cyberbullying)

• Common Sense Media
  (Reviews and advice on apps, games, movies, and shows to help parents understand their content)

• Childline
  (Support for children and advice on online safety topics like cyberbullying and privacy)

• Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)
  (Reporting tool for illegal online content, particularly concerning child exploitation)

• O2 and NSPCC Online Safety Hub
  (Helpline for advice on setting up parental controls and managing online safety)

We strongly encourage parents to explore these resources and use them to support conversations at home about online safety. By working together, we can help ensure that all children stay safe online and understand how to navigate the digital world responsibly.

If you have any concerns or require further advice, please do not hesitate to contact the school.