Online Safety

The Internet is now considered to be an essential part of modern life.  In addition, the school has a duty to provide pupils with quality Internet access as part of their learning.  Our school e-Safety policy considers the use of the fixed and mobile Internet, PC's, laptops, webcams, digital video equipment, mobile phones, camera phones, personal digital assistants and portable media players.  It will be revised to incorporate new and emerging technologies.  Emerging technologies will be examined for educational benefit and a risk assessment will be carried out before use is allowed in school.

The purpose of Internet use in school is to raise educational standards, to promote pupil achievement, to support professional work of staff and to enhance the school's management information systems.  Internet use is part of the statutory curriculum and a necessary tool for staff and pupils.  Internet access is an entitlement for students who show a responsible and mature approach to its use.

e-Safety depends on staff, governors and parents and, where appropriate, the pupils themselves taking responsibility for the use of the Internet and other communication technologies.

Pupils are educated in the safe use of the Internet through e-Safety programmes throughout the Year groups and take part in e-Safety discussions as opportunities arise. 

Online Safety at home

One of our biggest challenges is helping our children stay safe in a digital world. All the children are taught about eSafety in their Computing sessions. 

The internet has transformed the ability to access content. Many apps that children use are dependent on user generated content which can encourage freedom of expression, imagination and creativity. However, due to the sheer volume uploaded every day, it can be difficult for platforms to regulate and moderate everything, which means that disturbing or distressing images, videos or audio clips can slip through the net.

Online Safety - Parent Guides

Here are some helpful resources to support you at home.

Think U Know

Childnet

Safer Internet

Kid Smart

Bike Safety

Within school we participate in Bikeability training. We want our children to actively travel to school but we want to make sure it is the safest way possible. Here's some advice on how to keep your child safe on the road. 

Bikeability

Sustrans

Hygiene and Food Safety

Whenever the children are cooking they are taught the importance of hygiene and food safety. You may find some of the resources helpful at home too.

Great Grub Club

Food a fact of life

Fire Safety

Here is a link to help and advise in all aspects of fire safety.

FireService Safety

Fire safety resources

Road Safety

At St Mary's our children are taught, throughout their time in school, how to stay safe when crossing and walking alongside the road.

Here are some links to support you teaching your child road safety.

Brake.

Information from Brake, the road safety charity.

Think

A great website with information and resources to help you.

The Prevent Strategy

As part of our ongoing safeguarding and child protection duties we are fully behind the government's Prevent Strategy.

From 1st July 2015 all schools are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015, in the exercise of their functions, to have "due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism". This duty is known as the Prevent Duty for Schools.

At St Mary's, we build pupils' resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British Values and enabling our pupils to challenge extremist views.

The statutory guidance refers to the importance of Prevent awareness training to equip staff to identify children at risk of being drawn into terrorism and to challenge extremist ideas. The Home Office has developed a core training product for this purpose - Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent (WRAP). All our staff have received WRAP training sessions.