At Gastrells Primary School, we recognise that technology plays an important part in children’s lives. It provides wonderful opportunities for learning, creativity, communication and exploring the world around us.
We want our children to become confident, responsible and safe digital citizens who understand how to make positive choices when using technology.
Online safety is an important part of our safeguarding work. We teach children how to recognise risks, protect themselves and others, and know what to do if something online makes them feel worried, uncomfortable or unsafe.
We encourage children to STOP, THINK and TELL whenever they are unsure about something they see, hear or experience online.
Online Safety Curriculum
Online safety is taught throughout the year as part of our Computing curriculum, as well as through PSHE, assemblies, discussions and other areas of school life.
Our teaching is age appropriate and develops as children move through the school. Children learn about:
- Keeping personal information private
- Creating and protecting passwords
- Being kind and respectful online
- Recognising and reporting online bullying
- Understanding who they are talking to online
- Making safe choices when playing games and using apps
- Understanding age restrictions
- Recognising inappropriate or harmful content
- Thinking carefully before sharing photographs, videos or information
- Understanding their digital footprint
- Identifying misinformation and unreliable information
- Understanding advertising, in-app purchases and online scams
- Knowing how and where to report concerns
- Using technology responsibly and respectfully
- Understanding the opportunities and risks associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We also take part in Safer Internet Day and use appropriate resources to help children develop their understanding of online safety.
Our Children’s Voice
At Gastrells, we believe that listening to our children is an important part of keeping them safe.
Our pupils have shared their thoughts about staying safe online and the things they have learned during their time at school.
What Our Children Say About Online Safety
Early Years
“Mummy and Daddy know what I play so I’m safe.”
Year 1
“Using an avatar is fun, but it’s really to hide who you are and keep you safe.”
Year 2
“Don’t share your passwords or people can get into your work and ruin it. You wouldn’t know who it was either.”
Year 3
“Make sure parents know what you are looking at online. Some websites are not safe.”
Year 4
“You have to be old enough to play some games. Some games are not made for us to play. Check with your Mum and Dad first.”
Year 5
“You wouldn’t send a photo of yourself around class, so why would you post it on the internet where you don’t know who can see it?”
Year 6
“The first person to keep me safe is me. I control what I share.”
The 4 Cs of Online Safety
When we talk about online safety, we help children understand four key areas of risk:
Content
Children may come across content online that is unsuitable, upsetting, misleading or harmful.
We teach children to think carefully about what they see and to understand that not everything online is true or suitable for children.
If a child sees something that worries or upsets them, we encourage them to stop, close the page or app and tell a trusted adult.
Contact
Children may communicate online with people they know and, sometimes, people they do not know.
We teach children that people online may not always be who they say they are. Children should never arrange to meet someone they have only met online and should tell a trusted adult if anyone online makes them feel uncomfortable.
Conduct
The way we behave online matters.
We encourage children to treat others with the same PRIDE, kindness and respect online as they would in person.
Children learn about online bullying, sharing information or images about others, protecting their privacy and understanding that what they post online can form part of their digital footprint.
Commerce
Children may encounter advertising, online purchases, subscriptions, scams and in-app purchases.
We help children understand that some games, apps and websites are designed to encourage people to spend money or provide personal information.
Parents and carers are encouraged to check parental controls and purchase settings on devices and games.
Artificial Intelligence and Online Safety
Artificial Intelligence is becoming an increasingly common part of children’s digital lives.
At Gastrells, we want children to understand that AI can be a useful tool, but it also needs to be used safely, responsibly and critically.
Children are taught to understand that:
- AI-generated information is not always accurate.
- AI can create images, videos, audio and text that may look real but are not.
- Personal or private information should not be entered into AI tools.
- We should not automatically believe everything an AI tool tells us.
- AI should support learning rather than replace children’s own thinking and creativity.
- Children should speak to an adult if they encounter something involving AI that makes them uncomfortable or concerned.
Supporting Your Child at Home
Children are naturally curious about technology and may want to explore games, apps, websites and online communities.
The best way to support your child is to talk regularly about what they are doing online.
Try asking:
- What have you been doing online today?
- What games or apps are you enjoying?
- Who do you talk to online?
- Has anything happened online that made you feel uncomfortable?
- Do you know how to block or report someone?
- What would you do if you saw something upsetting?
- What information should you keep private?
- Can we check your privacy and safety settings together?
Keeping conversations open and positive helps children feel that they can come to you if something goes wrong.
Our Top Online Safety Messages
We encourage all our children to remember:
STOP
Stop what you are doing if something doesn’t feel right.
THINK
Think carefully about what you are seeing, sharing and saying.
TELL
Tell a trusted adult if you are worried, upset or unsure.
And remember:
Be kind.
Keep personal information private.
Think before you share.
Check before you click.
Tell someone if something feels wrong.
Keeping Children Safe in School
Online safety is an important part of our safeguarding arrangements.
We use appropriate filtering and monitoring systems to help protect children when they are using school devices and networks. These systems are regularly reviewed as part of our safeguarding arrangements.
We also recognise that technology changes quickly. We therefore continue to review our approach to online safety and provide children and staff with appropriate guidance and support.
Parents and carers should be aware that filtering systems cannot prevent every possible risk online. Talking to children regularly and helping them develop good digital habits remains an important part of keeping them safe.
Useful Advice for Parents and Carers
There are many excellent organisations providing up-to-date advice about children’s online safety.
UK Safer Internet Centre
The UK Safer Internet Centre provides advice and resources for parents, carers, children and schools about a wide range of online-safety issues.
UK Safer Internet Centre – Parents & Carers
Childline
Childline provides advice for children and young people about staying safe online, including privacy, online bullying, grooming and other online concerns.
CEOP Safety Centre
If a child is worried about online sexual abuse, grooming or inappropriate sexual contact, concerns can be reported to CEOP.
Thinkuknow
Thinkuknow provides age-appropriate online-safety information and resources for children, young people, parents and carers.
Worried About Something Online?
If your child tells you that something has happened online, listen, stay calm and reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you.
You can also speak to a member of staff at Gastrells if you have concerns about something that has happened online.
If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, contact the appropriate emergency or safeguarding service.
At Gastrells, we want every child to enjoy the opportunities technology provides while having the knowledge, confidence and skills to stay safe.
Together, we can help our children make safe, responsible and positive choices online.
Online Safety Websites:
There are lots of useful websites available to help parents and carers understand the online world and support children to stay safe.
We have selected some trusted organisations that provide up-to-date advice, guidance and resources for families.
CEOP Education
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Education team is part of the National Crime Agency. It provides online-safety education and resources to help protect children from online sexual abuse and grooming.
Parents and carers can find advice about keeping children safer online and information about what to do if they are concerned about a child’s online experiences.
Thinkuknow
Thinkuknow is the online-safety education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Education team.
It provides age-appropriate information and activities for children, as well as guidance for parents and carers. Resources are available for different age groups, including 4–7, 8–10 and 11–18.
Internet Matters
Internet Matters provides practical advice and resources to help parents and carers support their children online.
It covers topics including social media, gaming, screen time, online bullying, privacy, inappropriate content, parental controls and digital wellbeing.
Childnet
Childnet is a UK charity helping children and young people to use the internet safely, positively and responsibly.
It provides resources for children, parents, carers and schools, including advice about online gaming, social media, cyberbullying and online relationships.
Ask About Games
Ask About Games provides practical information for families about video games, PEGI age ratings, parental controls, online gaming and healthy gaming habits.
It can help parents make informed decisions about the games their children play.
Parent Zone
Parent Zone provides advice and information to help families understand children’s digital lives, online safety and wellbeing.
It covers a wide range of topics, including gaming, social media, privacy and emerging technologies.
Internet Watch Foundation
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) works with the internet industry, law enforcement and other organisations to help identify and remove child sexual abuse material online.
The IWF also works to tackle emerging threats, including the use of Artificial Intelligence to create child sexual abuse material.
Visit the Internet Watch Foundation
Childline
Childline provides free, confidential support for children and young people.
Children can find advice about a wide range of issues, including online bullying, staying safe online, relationships, privacy and worrying experiences online.
If a child is worried about something that has happened online, Childline is one place they can go for help and support.
UK Safer Internet Centre
The UK Safer Internet Centre provides online-safety information, advice and resources for children, parents, carers and schools.
It brings together expertise from organisations including Childnet and the Internet Watch Foundation.
Visit the UK Safer Internet Centre
If You Are Worried
If your child tells you that something has happened online, stay calm, listen and reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you.
If you are concerned about online grooming or sexual abuse, you can report directly to CEOP. If a child is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services.
Children should always be encouraged to speak to a trusted adult if something online makes them feel worried, frightened or uncomfortable.
At Gastrells, we are always happy to support parents and carers with online-safety concerns.
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