We have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of our pupils, including their use of digital and mobile technologies and the internet, and to equip our young people with the skills to manage the very real risks associated with living in a digital age.
The internet, mobile phones, social networking and other interactive services have transformed the way in which we live. Young people are amongst the early adopters of the new technologies and move effortlessly between the interactive services and devices to communicate, interact, create and share content with friends and family.
At Elements Academy, Online Safety is a focus for staff and pupils at all times. All pupils receive a diverse curriculum to develop their knowledge and understanding of online safety during curriculum time and through 1:1 personalised intervention sessions and topical discussions.
All students will take part in targeted work to raise awareness of the risks associated with their online behaviour. Regular interventions will be in place to target sensitive areas of e-safety and to increase understanding of topics that are relevant to young people.
E-safety will be taught throughout the curriculum and has a core focus on areas such as hacking and phishing (and the programming elements behind these) with some focus on identity theft and how this ties in with Online Safety.
Online Safety lessons at Elements Academy will combine resources from a range of expert sources including NSPCC, ThinkuKnow, Childnet International & ChildLine.
All staff receive will regular, ongoing CPD training from our Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure they are able to support students’ learning with up-to-date knowledge, and so they know the procedures to follow should they have any concerns around online safety.
Parent/carer information sessions will be available to develop knowledge around online safety, with a particular emphasis on how parents can help to keep their child safe online when at home or in their local community. Newsletters and information leaflets are also distributed to parents/carers to keep them up to date with current online safety news.
