E-Safety Policy

Date Created September: 2019

Reviewed: March  2022

Next Review: September 2023

Introduction

At Co-op Academy Woodslee, we are committed to ensuring our pupils understand how to use computers, ICT and modern technologies safely so that they:

•        Are able to use ICT safely to support their learning in school.

•        Know how to use a range of ICT equipment safely.

•        Are able to use ICT and modern technologies outside school in a safe manner, including using ICT as a tool for communication.

•        Are prepared for the constant changes in the world of technology and understand how to use new and emerging technologies in a safe manner.

•        Know what to do if they feel unsafe when it comes to using technology and ICT.

This policy outlines the steps the school takes to protect children from harm when using ICT and also how the school proactively encourages children to develop a safe approach to using ICT, whether in school or at home. (See also appendix 1 – Incident workflow)

Our E-Safety Policy has been written using government guidance and is related to other policies including such as our Safeguarding and Data Protection policies. As legislation is often amended and new regulations introduced, the references made in this policy may be superseded. For an up to date guidance applying to schools please refer to the Department for Education website here.

Roles and Responsibilities 

The Headteacher, alongside the ICT and Computing Lead will:

•        Ensure that  the policy is implemented and communicated.

•      Compliance with the policy is monitored.

•        Ensure staff training in e-safety is provided and updated annually as part of safeguarding training.

•        Ensure immediate action is always taken if any risks or dangers are identified i.e. reporting of inappropriate websites.

•        Ensure that all reported incidents of cyberbullying are investigated.

•        Ensure appropriate web filtering software is used to protect users from potentially damaging/offensive material.

Teachers and Staff will:

•        Keep passwords private and only use their own login details, which are stored securely.

•        Monitor and supervise pupils’ internet usage and use of other IT resources.

•        Adhere to the Acceptable Use Agreement (see appendix 3,4 & 5).

•        Promote e-safety and teach e-safety units as part of the computing curriculum.

•        Engage in e-safety training.

•        Only download attachments/material onto the school system if they are from a trusted source.

•        When capturing images, videos or sound clips of children, only use school ICT equipment.

•        Will follow the Woodslee Motto of:

Control, ALT, Delete,

Before you leave your seat!

to ensure  laptops are locked during times they are not in their classrooms

•        Ensure they have read and adhere to the Safeguarding and GDPR policies.

It is essential that pupils, parents/carers and the public  have confidence in the Academy’s decisions and services. The principles set out in this policy are designed to ensure that staff members use social media responsibly so that confidentiality of staff members and the reputation of Co-op Academy Woodslee and The Co-op Academy  Trust are safeguarded. In this context, staff members must be conscious at all times of the need to keep their personal and professional lives separate. It is agreed that staff members will not be ‘friends’ with children, parents or carers that attend this Academy. It is agreed that staff members will not be friends with past pupils that attended this Academy during the staff member’s time of service.

Governors will:

•        Ensure that the school is implementing this policy effectively.

•        Adhere to the acceptable use agreement when in school.

•        Have due regard for the importance of e-safety in school.

•        Engage in training when applicable

Teaching and Learning

Whilst regulation and technical solutions are very important, their use must be balanced by educating pupils to take a responsible approach. The education of pupils in e-safety is therefore an essential part of the school’s e-safety provision. Children and young people need the help and support of the school to recognise and avoid e-safety risks and build their resilience.

E-safety is a focus in all areas of the curriculum, and staff reinforce e-safety messages across the curriculum. The e-safety curriculum is broad, relevant and provides progression, with opportunities for creative activities and is provided in the following ways:

•        A planned e-safety curriculum is provided as part of Computing / PSHE / other lessons and is regularly revisited

•        Key e-safety messages are reinforced as part of a planned programme of assemblies and tutorial / pastoral activities

•        Pupils should be taught in all lessons to be critically aware of the materials / content they access on-line and be guided to validate the accuracy of information.

•        Pupils should be taught to acknowledge the source of information used and to respect copyright when using material accessed on the internet.

•        Pupils should be helped to understand the need for the pupil Acceptable Use Agreement and encouraged to adopt safe and responsible use, both within and outside the academy.

•        Staff should act as good role models in their use of digital technologies, the internet and mobile devices.

•        In lessons where internet use is pre-planned, it is best practice that pupils should be guided to sites checked as suitable for their use and that processes are in place for dealing with any unsuitable material that is found in internet searches.

•        Where pupils are allowed to freely search the internet, staff should be vigilant in monitoring the content of the websites the young people visit.

•        It is accepted that from time to time, for good educational reasons, students may need to research topics (e.g. racism, drugs,) that would normally result in internet searches being blocked. In such a situation, staff can request that the Technical Staff can temporarily remove those sites from the filtered list for the period of study. Any request to do so, should be auditable, with clear reasons for the need.

For further details on the computing curriculum please see our Computing Policy

Parents/ Guardians

Parents/Guardians play a crucial role in ensuring that their children understand the need to use the internet/mobile devices in an appropriate way. Research shows that many parents and guardians do not fully understand the issues and are less experienced in the use of ICT than their children. The academy will therefore take every opportunity to help parents understand these issues through the school website, school policies, parent evenings and newsletters.

The academy will therefore  provide information and awareness to parents and carers through:

• Curriculum activities

• Letters, newsletters, website

• Parents/ Carers evenings /sessions

• High profile events / campaigns e.g. Safer Internet Day and Cyberbullying day.

• Reference to the relevant web sites / publications e.g.

https://saferinternet.org.uk/

https://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers/

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/  (CEOP)

Parents/Guardians will be responsible for:

•        supporting the school in promoting e-safety and endorsing the Parents’ Acceptable Use Agreement (see Appendix 4 & 5) which includes the pupils’ use of the Internet and the school’s use of photographic and video images.

•        reading, understanding and promoting the school Pupil Acceptable Use Agreement with their children.

•        consulting with the school if they have concerns about their children’s use of technology.

Pupils

It is important that all pupils:

•        have a good understanding of research skills and the need to avoid plagiarism and uphold copyright regulations.

•        need to understand the importance of reporting abuse, misuse or access to inappropriate materials and know how to do so.

•        will be expected to know and understand policies on the use of mobile devices and digital cameras. They should also know and understand policies on the taking / use of images and on cyber-bullying.

•        should understand the importance of adopting good e-safety practice when using digital technologies out of our academy and realise that the academy’s E-Safety Policy covers their actions outside of school, if related to their membership of the school.

Follow the expectation that mobile phones and smart watches are stored in the office switched off during the hours of the school day.

Communication

The policy will be communicated to staff/pupils/community in the following ways:

•        Policy to be posted on the school website with hard copies available from school on request.

•        Policy to be part of the school induction pack for new staff.

•        Acceptable use agreements discussed with pupils at the start of each year.

•        Acceptable use agreements to be recorded by the office and kept in teacher files.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

•        Safety is embedded into the curriculum and is covered through Computing and PSHE objectives.  (See Computing Policy)

•        Pupils need to understand the importance of reporting abuse, misuse or access to inappropriate materials and know how to do so.

•        Pupils will be expected to know school rules and understand school policies for bullying and behaviour, this is reinforced through class worship and Internet Safety Week.

•        Pupils should understand the importance of adopting good e-safety practice when using digital technologies out of school.

Planning and Organisation

E-safety should be focused upon in all areas of the curriculum and staff should reinforce e-safety messages during computing lessons. The ICT and Computing Lead has a clear, progressive and up-to-date e-safety education programme as part of the Computing curriculum/E-safety curriculum. This covers a range of skills and behaviours appropriate to pupils’ age and experience (see Computing and PSHE LTPs).

In the Foundation Stage, pupils are taught  not to give out any personal information on the internet. They are told to tell a teacher or parent if anything they see on the internet makes them feel uncomfortable. At our Academy, we expect children of this age to be supervised whilst using the internet. Reception pupils take part in the Academy’s “Internet Safety Week” using age appropriate CEOP resources.

In Key Stage One, pupils begin to understand what personal information is and who you can share it with. Children begin to recognise the difference between real and imaginary online experiences. They are taught to keep their passwords private and make sure that an adult knows what they are doing online. Staff to use https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

to highlight the need to be good digital citizens. Teachers model appropriate online behaviour when communicating with others.

There are four key messages taught at Key Stage One:

•        People you don’t know are strangers. They’re not always who they say they are.

•        Be nice to others on the internet, just like  on the playground.

•        Keep your personal information private.

•        If you ever get that ‘uh-oh’ feeling, you should tell a grown-up who you trust.

In Key Stage Two, themes taught in Key Stage One are built upon. In addition, pupils are made aware of online experiences which could cause potential danger, e.g. use of social networking, gaming sites and downloading or installing new applications. Links are made between inappropriate sharing of personal information and the dangers this can pose in the real world. Relevant resources from CEOP, Childnet and SWGfL are used during “Internet Safety Week” and other resources can be accessed throughout the year on the Academy website.  In Key Stage Two, children also develop their research skills, especially through use of their iPads. They are taught about plagiarism and the need to upload copyright laws.

Resources

The ICT and computing lead will provide e-safety planning and resources for teachers to follow. Online website links are available on the Academy website.  Information about new resources/websites are communicated to staff via email.

Inclusion

At Co-op Academy Woodslee, we believe that ‘Little Acorns grow into Mighty Oaks’ and children should be given the opportunity to achieve. All pupils will be taught  the importance of staying safe online and the possible dangers of internet misuse.

Monitoring safe and secure systems

Antivirus software has been installed on all computers and is to be maintained and updated regularly. Staff passwords are changed regularly and must be strong passwords. Staff take responsibility for safeguarding confidential data saved to laptops, i.e. use of strong passwords. If personal data has to be saved to other media, e.g. memory pens or external hard drives, it is to be encrypted or strong password protected. Staff with access to the ICT systems containing confidential and personal data ensure that such data is properly protected at all times. Teaching and support staff have access to the Google Drive; this reduces the need for portable data storage and therefore increases security. G-drive is linked to staff G-mail accounts and is fully password protected.

When using communication technologies, the academy considers the following as good practice:

•        The official school email service may be regarded as safe and secure and is monitored. Users should be aware that email communications are monitored.

•        Users must immediately report, to the nominated person – in accordance with the school/ academy policy, the receipt of any communication that makes them feel uncomfortable, is offensive, discriminatory, threatening or bullying in nature and must not respond to any such communication.

•        All digital communication between staff and pupils  must be professional in tone and content. Personal email addresses, text messaging or social media must not be used for these communications.

•        Students / pupils are taught about e-safety issues, such as the risks attached to the sharing of personal details. They are also taught strategies to deal with inappropriate communications and are reminded of the need to communicate appropriately when using digital technologies.

•        Personal information is not posted on the school website and only official email addresses are used to identify members of staff.

Handling complaints

The school will take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of our pupils. Owing to the international scale and linked nature of internet content, the availability of mobile technologies and the speed of change, it is not possible to guarantee that unsuitable material will never appear on a school computer or mobile device. The Academy cannot accept liability for material accessed, or any consequences of internet access.

Staff and pupils are given information about infringements in use and logical consequences. Consequences may include:

•        Interview with teacher/ Computing Subject Leader/ SLT / Headteacher;

•        Informing parents or carers;

•        Removal of internet or computer access for a period, (which could ultimately prevent access to files held on the system, including online homework);

•        Referral to the Co-op Academy Trust/ LA / Police.

Class teachers are usually  the first point of contact for any complaint, followed by the Senior Leadership Team. Complaints about staff misuse are referred to the Headteacher. (Please see our Complaints Policy)

Complaints of cyberbullying are dealt with in accordance with our Anti-Bullying Policy. Complaints related to child protection are dealt with in accordance with Academy/ LA child protection procedures. (See our Safeguarding Policy)

Review and Monitoring

The e-safety policy is referenced from within other Academy policies:

•        The Academy has a designated Lead who will be responsible for document ownership, review and updates of both computing and E-safety.

•        The e-safety policy will be reviewed annually or when any significant changes occur with regard to the technologies in use within the Academy.

•        The e-safety policy has been written by the Academy Computing Coordinators and is current and appropriate for its intended audience and purpose.

•        There is widespread ownership of the policy and it has been agreed by the SLT and approved by Governors and other stakeholders. All amendments to the Academy e-safeguarding policy will be discussed in detail with all members of teaching staff and will be compliant with our GDPR and Safeguarding Policies.

Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

The AUP is written and distributed to all pupils (age appropriate) during the Autumn term of the school year and signed by parents/guardians. The AUP will be reviewed annually.

Acceptable Use of Personal Equipment - Children

Use of Facebook / Social networking sites.

Children are not permitted to use social networking sites on Academy premises, both on computers and mobile devices.

Use of Mobile Phones

Mobile devices must be switched off and remain in the school office.  Parents and pupils sign a disclaimer form if they wish to bring a mobile device into our Academy (see Appendix 6). Smart watches such as Apple Watches are to be treated in the same way as mobile telephones.

Mobile phones brought into Co-op Academy Woodslee are entirely at the staff member/ visitors’ own risk.  The Academy accepts no responsibility for the loss, theft or damage of any phone or handheld device brought into school.

Our Academy reserves the right to search the content of any mobile or handheld devices on the school premises where there is a reasonable safeguarding suspicion that it may contain undesirable material, including those which promote pornography, violence or bullying.

Where parents or students need to contact each other during the school day, they should do so only through the Academy’s main telephone.

Email

Children and parents/carers  may contact their class teacher via  See-saw with homework questions only. All other emails go through the school office using this email:

woodslee@coopacademies.co.uk

The school office will forward messages to the right member of staff.

Cyber-Bullying

Internet Safety Week is held annually with up to date e-safety guidance. As part of Anti-bullying week, there is a specific day for school to focus on cyber-bullying. Issues and ways to tackle cyberbullying are  revisited throughout the course of the year.  The school website has links to cyber-bullying advice.  Incidents of cyberbullying are dealt with by the leadership team and communicated to parents where necessary.  

Acceptable Use of Personal Equipment - Staff

Use of Facebook / Social networking sites

Staff are not permitted to access Facebook or other social networking sites from a school computer whilst on school premises.  Social networking sites can be accessed on a personal handheld device at break, lunch time, or when children have left school. All staff social media accounts are set to private, so only ‘friends’ can view their information.

Use of Mobile Phones and other personal mobile devices

•        During the school day, mobile phones and other personal mobile devices can be accessed at break and lunch times only. Mobile Phones and personally-owned devices will be switched off or switched to ‘silent’ mode including Apple watches. Bluetooth communication should be ‘hidden’ or switched off and mobile phones or personally-owned devices will not be used during teaching periods unless permission has been granted by the Headteacher in emergency circumstances.        

•        Staff are not permitted to use their own mobile phones or devices for photographing, recording or contacting children, young people or their families within or outside of the setting in a professional capacity. Staff will be issued with a school phone where contact with students, parents or carers is required.

•        Staff iPads must have a  passcode activated.

Use of Cameras

•        Images of pupils and/ or staff must only be stored on computers/drivers owned by Co-op Academy Woodslee.  Images are not distributed outside the school network (e.g. Website/local press) without the permission of the parent/ carer, member of staff or Headteacher.

•        Care should be taken when taking digital / video images that students / pupils are appropriately dressed and are not participating in activities that might bring the individuals or the school into disrepute.

•        In accordance with guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office, parents/ carers are welcome to take videos and digital images of their own children at school events for their own personal use. To respect everyone’s privacy, these images should not be published/ made publicly available on social networking sites, nor should parents/ carers comment on any activities involving other students/ pupils in the digital/ video images.

•        Photographs published on the website, or elsewhere that include students/ pupils, are selected carefully and will comply with good practice guidance on the use of such images.

•        Written permission from parents or carers will be obtained before photographs of students/ pupils are published on our website and Social Media pages.

Email

Emailing is used as one of the ways we communicate with each other and is invaluable to our Academy. However, the system should be used responsibly and staff should always act in a professional manner when using the email system.  Members of staff should not feel obliged to reply to any emails sent to them in the evenings or at weekends and equally staff should not expect a reply from colleagues outside school hours.

All staff will take part in mandatory GDPR, E-Safety and Safeguarding training.

Incident Management

In this academy:

• There is strict monitoring and application of the e-safety policy. Restorative Justice and logical consequences are applied if deemed necessary.

• All members and the wider community are encouraged to be vigilant in reporting issues, in the confidence that issues will be dealt with quickly and sensitively, through the academy’s escalation processes.

• Staff at our academy record all incidents on  CPOMs, which enables us to track, monitor and deal with any issues which surround behaviour, accidents and safeguarding.
• Support will be actively sought from other agencies as needed (e.g. the local authority and regional broadband grid, UK Safer Internet Centre helpline) in dealing with e-safety issues.

• Monitoring and reporting of e-safety incidents takes place and contributes to developments in policy and practice in e-safety within the school.

•Parents/ carers are specifically informed of e-safety incidents involving young people for whom they are responsible.

• We will contact the Police and Designated Safeguarding Leads if one of our staff or pupils receives online communication that we consider is particularly disturbing or breaks the law.

• Security breaches or attempts, loss of equipment and any unauthorised use or suspected misuse of ICT is immediately reported to the school’s Computing Subject Leaders, GDPR or Leadership Team.

• All security breaches, lost/stolen equipment or data virus notifications, unsolicited emails, misuse or unauthorised use of ICT and all other policy non-compliance must be reported to the designated GDPR Lead and reported through the terms of GDPR as soon as Identified. (See GDPR policy)

CCTV

We have CCTV at our academy as part of our site surveillance for staff and student safety. This is viewed where cause is justified (in line with the Behaviour Policy) and will only be viewed by the person leading the investigation.

APPENDIX 1

Incident workflow

APPENDIX 2        

Staff Acceptable Use Policy        

This policy covers the use of digital technologies in school: email, internet, intranet and network resources, learning platform, software, handheld devices, equipment and systems.

•        I will only use the school’s digital technology resources and systems for Professional purposes or for uses deemed ‘reasonable’ by the Head and Academy Governing Council.

•        I will ensure any laptops and iPads I use have a password and will not reveal my password(s) to anyone.

•        I will ensure that when I leave a work area, laptops or iPads will be locked to prevent a data breach.

•        I will not allow unauthorised individuals to access email / internet / intranet / network, or other school systems.

•        I will ensure all documents, data etc., are saved, accessed and deleted in accordance with the school’s network and data security and confidentiality policy.

•        I will not engage in any online activity that may compromise my professional responsibilities.

•        I will only use the approved school email system for any school business  and relevant communication with parents/carers regarding appropriate school business.  

•        I will not browse, download or send material that could be considered offensive to colleagues.

•        I will report any accidental access to, or receipt of inappropriate materials, or filtering breach to the appropriate line manager.  

•        I will not download any software or resources from the internet that can compromise the network, or are not adequately licensed.

•        I will not connect a computer, laptop or other device (including USB flash drive), to the network/ internet that does not have up-to-date anti-virus software.

•        I will keep any ‘loaned’ equipment up-to-date, using the school’s recommended anti-virus, firewall and other ICT ‘defence’ systems.

•        I will not use personal digital cameras or any device with camera capabilities for taking and transferring images of pupils or staff without permission.

•        I will not use school equipment to charge personal devices.

•        I will ensure that any private social networking sites that I create or actively contribute to are not confused with or associated with my professional role or the school.

•        I will ensure that all social media sites are set to private, so only my ‘friends’ can view information.

• I will not be ‘friends’ or ‘follow’ on Social media with parents, carers and children who attend our academy.

I will not be ‘friends’/’follow’ with children who were past pupils of the academy.

•        I will ensure any confidential data that I wish to transport is protected by encryption and that I follow school data security protocols when using any such data at any location.

•        I will embed/ support the school’s e-safety curriculum into my teaching.

•        I understand that all internet usage/ and network usage can be logged and this information could be made available to my manager on request.

•        I understand that failure to comply with this agreement could lead to disciplinary action.

I understand that it is my responsibility to ensure that I remain up-to-date and read and understand the Academy’s most recent e-safety policies.

I agree to abide by all the points above.

Signature: __________________________________________        Date:

Full Name: _______________________________________________________  (printed)

Job title: ________________________________________________________________

APPENDIX 3

        KS1 Acceptable Use Policy        

•        I will use the school’s ICT equipment and tools (including computers, cameras etc.) for school work and homework.  If I need to use the school’s computers for anything else, I will ask for permission first.

•        I will only use the internet and email when an adult is nearby.

•        I will not share my passwords with other people and will tell my teacher if I think someone else knows them.

•        I will ask an adult before opening an email from someone I don’t know.

•        I will not share details about myself such as surname, phone number or home address.

•        I will ask if I need to look at other peoples’ work on the computer.

•        I will ask my teacher before using photos or videos.

•        If I see something on a screen which upsets me, I will always tell an adult.

I will do my best to follow these rules because I know they are there to keep me and my friends safe.

If I don’t follow these rules, I know that my teacher may stop me using technology at school and talk to my parent/guardian about how I use technology.

PLEASE RETURN TO CLASS TEACHER.

…………………………………….......... (child’s name) has discussed and agreed to follow the E-Safety rules, to support the safe use of ICT at Co-operative Academy Woodslee.

Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________________

Child’s signature: __________________________        Year: _____        Date: _______________

APPENDIX 4        

KS2 Acceptable Use Policy        

•        I will use the school’s ICT equipment and tools for schoolwork and homework.  If I need to use the school’s computers for anything else, I will ask for permission first.

•        I will only use the Internet if a teacher or teaching assistant is in the room with me.

•        I will only delete my own files unless my teacher gives me permission to delete someone else’s.  I will not look at other people’s files without their permission.

•        I will keep my passwords private and tell an adult if I think someone else knows them.  

•        I will only open email attachments from people who I know or an adult has approved.  If I am unsure about an attachment or e-mail, I will ask an adult for help.

•        I will not give my own personal details such as surname, phone number or home address or any other personal details that could be used to identify me, my friends or my family.  If I have to use an online name I will make one up!

•        I will never post photographs or video clips of people I know without permission and never include names with photographs or videos.

•        I will never arrange to meet someone I have only ever previously met online.  It could be dangerous.

I will do my best to follow these rules because I know they are there to keep me and my friends safe.  

If I don’t follow these rules, my teacher may:

•        Speak to me about my behaviour.

•        Speak to my parent/ guardian about my use of technology.

•        Remove me from online communities or groups.

•        Turn off my access for a little while.

•        Not allow me access to use laptops / computers to access the internet or particular programmes.

•        Take other action to keep me (and others) safe.

PLEASE RETURN TO CLASS TEACHER.

__________________________ (child’s name) has discussed and agreed to follow the E-Safety rules, to support the safe use of ICT at Co-operative Academy Woodslee:

Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________________

Child’s signature: __________________________        Year: _____        Date: _______________

Appendix 5:

Year 6 Mobile Phone Permission Form         

The use of mobile phones in school is strongly discouraged.  The school cannot take responsibility for loss or damage to phones.  

It is recognised that some pupils do require mobile phones for their journeys to and from school.  Under these circumstances, mobile phones may be switched on and used outside normal school hours.

Mobile phones will be handed to the class teacher at the beginning of the day, and stored in a lockable area. Children will receive their mobile phones at the end of the day, or when they go home. If a phone is activated during school hours, without the permission of a member of staff, it will be confiscated for the rest of that school day.  If the mobile phone is used inappropriately, i.e. taking photographs or videos without permission, this privilege will be removed.

Parent/Guardian Permission

I have read and understand the above information about appropriate use of mobile phones at Co-operative Academy Woodslee. I understand that this form will be kept on file at the school and that the details may be used (and shared with a third party) to assist in the identification of a phone should the need arise (e.g. if lost, or if the phone is being used inappropriately).

I give my child permission to carry a mobile phone to school and understand that my child will be responsible for ensuring that the mobile phone is used appropriately and correctly.

I understand that the school accepts no responsibility for pupils who lose or have their mobile phones stolen.

Parent name (print):        ______________________________________________

Parent signature:        ______________________________________________

Date:        ______________________________________________

Pupil name (print):        ______________________________________________

Mobile phone number:        ______________________________________________

Pupil signature:        ______________________________________________

Date:        ______________________________________________