Online Safety
Online Safety is an important part of keeping children safe here at Pattishall School.
The internet is amazing. Children can play, learn, create and connect - opening up a whole world of exciting possibilities. But with the digital world changing all the time, how can you make sure your child’s staying safe?
Safeguarding Pledge
Here at Pattishall C of E School, we have extensive security measures in place which are monitored both internally and externally, to help safeguard pupils from potential dangers or unsuitable material. Any Online Safety incidents are recorded by our DSLs and then managed accordingly.
Online Safety is taught to all pupils at the start of a new school year and is embedded in all of our Computing lessons. It allows us to explain and demonstrate how to stay safe and behave appropriately online.
We can only be successful in keeping children safe online if we work with parents to ensure the Online Safety message is consistent.
It is important that parents speak to their children about how they can keep safe and behave appropriately online.
See our Parent Tips section for support.
Parent Top Tips
Talk to them
Talking to your child – openly, and regularly – is the best way to help keep them safe online.
You might find it helpful to start with a family discussion to set boundaries and agree what's appropriate. In our useful links section is an example of a family agreement. We really encourage you to sit down as a family and create an agreement to turn your house in to a technology safe haven!
Or you might need a more specific conversation about an app or website your child wants to use or something you're worried about.
If you're not sure where to start then here's the advice you need – great ways to begin conversations to keep your child safe online.
And you can always call the O2 and NSPCC online safety helpline for free expert advice.
Explore Sites and Apps Together
Speak to your child about the sort of apps that they enjoy using or that they would like to start using. Make a list of these and look at them together. Talk about things such as the age requirement for that app and the safety features and make a decision as a family about whether that app or game is appropriate or not.
Try to stay positive about the internet, games and apps they might want to use but also be honest and open with your concerns.
Involving a child in these conversations will help them to understand why certain sites and apps are inappropriate for their age range and allows them to develop online independence and resilience.
Family Agreements
It is so important that, as parents and teachers, we are modelling how to use technology safely and responsibly.
A family agreement is a great way to do this as it is a way for your whole family to agree on what rules are best for you. is a great way to start a conversation with your whole family about how you all use the internet, and to start discussions together around how to behave in a positive way when online, whether this is at home, at school or at a friends house.
Child Net have a great template for a family agreement which provides a list of things to consider when creating a family agreement, and some examples to get you started. It also provides clear expectations for positive and safe internet use.
https://www.childnet.com/resources/family-agreement
Protecting Your Child
The internet is a huge and overwhelming place and can therefore feel like it is impossible to protect your child from everything on it.
NSPCC have a brilliant guide to help parents set up parental controls on any of the devices you might have around your house. They also have a free helpline you can call as well as O2 Gurus in store to show you how to set up controls.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/parental-controls/
Useful Websites
UK Safer Internet Centre
This parents guide to technology has good advice about smart phones, gaming devices and tablets.
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers/parents-guide-technology
Child Net
Child Net has a page dedicated to providing parents with all the support an information they need to help keep their children safe online.
Net Aware
Net Aware has a brilliant tool where you can search for an app which you child is using and it will give you information and advice about it. This can help you to make an informed judgement about whether or not it is age appropriate.
Think You Know and Common Sense Media
Child Line
Practical and sensible advice about online gaming
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/online-gaming/
West Mercia Police
Dealing with Online Bullying