Online Safety
At Reynalds Cross we recognise that technology plays an important role in the lives of children and young people. We are committed to supporting pupils to use the internet, digital devices and online services in a safe, responsible and positive way.
Online safety is an essential part of our wider safeguarding approach and is treated with the same importance as other aspects of pupil safety and wellbeing. This includes helping pupils to understand how to stay safe online, how to behave respectfully and how to ask for help if something worries them.
If you are worried about something online
If you are worried about something your child has seen, shared or experienced online, please contact school and ask to speak to a member of the safeguarding team.
Online safety concerns are treated as safeguarding concerns. This may include concerns about:
- inappropriate or harmful content
- online bullying or unkind behaviour
- messages from people your child does not know
- pressure to share images or personal information
- unsafe use of social media, games or apps
- scams, fake accounts or misleading information
- AI-generated images or fake images
- anything online that makes your child feel worried, frightened or uncomfortable
For concerns about online abuse, grooming or the way someone has been communicating with a child online, you can also report directly to the CEOP Safety Centre.
Online risks
Online safety covers a wide range of risks. These are often grouped into four areas:
Content
This means things pupils may see online, such as harmful or age-inappropriate content, including sexual content, violent content, hate content, misinformation, fake news or content linked to self-harm.
Contact
This means who pupils may communicate with online, including people they know, people they do not know, fake accounts or adults pretending to be children.
Conduct
This means how people behave online, including online bullying, sharing personal information, sending or receiving inappropriate images, group chat issues or pressure from others.
Commerce
This means risks linked to money, advertising and scams, such as phishing, in-app purchases, gambling-style features, fake competitions or financial pressure online.
We understand that pupils may experience online risks differently depending on their age, communication needs, understanding, independence and individual circumstances.
Teaching online safety in school
Pupils are taught about online safety regularly through age-appropriate and needs-led learning across the curriculum. This includes learning how to stay safe online, how to behave respectfully when using technology and how to recognise situations that may make them feel uncomfortable, worried or unsure.
Teaching is adapted to meet the individual needs of pupils. This may include:
- visual support
- symbols or social stories
- repetition and overlearning
- practical activities
- role play and real-life examples
- short, clear safety messages
- communication support where needed
Online safety messages are reinforced throughout the school day and linked to real-life situations wherever possible. Pupils are encouraged to tell a trusted adult if something online worries them, even if they are unsure what has happened or find it difficult to explain.
Safe use of technology in school
The school provides access to a range of technology to support learning and communication, including desktop computers, laptops and tablets. When pupils use technology in school, they are supervised by staff and supported to use devices safely and appropriately, in line with their individual needs.
Staff help pupils understand what safe and responsible technology use looks like. This includes using devices for the right purpose, asking before accessing websites or apps, taking care of equipment and treating others kindly when using digital tools.
Filtering and monitoring
The school uses filtering and monitoring systems to help keep pupils safe when using the school internet and school devices.
Filtering helps reduce access to harmful or unsuitable websites and online content. Monitoring helps school identify concerns where a pupil may have searched for, viewed or interacted with harmful or inappropriate material.
No filtering or monitoring system is completely foolproof. For this reason, online safety is supported through a combination of:
- technical controls
- staff supervision
- regular online safety teaching
- clear expectations for pupils
- safeguarding procedures
- communication with parents and carers
Filtering and monitoring arrangements are reviewed regularly to make sure they remain suitable for the needs of our pupils.
Acceptable use and expectations
Pupils are supported to understand what acceptable use of technology looks like. This includes:
- being kind and respectful online
- keeping personal information private
- using school devices for appropriate activities
- asking an adult before going online where needed
- not sharing passwords
- not taking or sharing photos or videos without permission
- telling a trusted adult if something worries them
Online safety is not just about rules. It is about helping pupils build safe habits, understand risk and know where to get help.
Parents and carers are encouraged to support these messages at home by talking to their child about what they do online and setting appropriate boundaries around device use.
Working with parents and carers
We recognise that online safety does not stop at the school gate. Parents and carers play an important role in supporting children and young people to stay safe online.
You do not need to be an expert on every app, game or website. The most useful thing is to keep conversations open, take an interest in what your child enjoys online and make sure they know they can come to an adult for help.
We encourage parents and carers to:
- talk regularly with their child about online activities
- take an interest in the apps, games and websites their child uses
- check privacy settings and parental controls where appropriate
- agree clear and consistent boundaries around device use
- be aware of who their child may be communicating with online
- remind their child not to share personal information
- seek advice if they are unsure about an online risk or concern
For some pupils, online safety messages may need to be repeated often and supported with visuals, routines or simple key phrases. Families can contact school if they would like advice around supporting online safety at home.
Supporting online safety at home
Keeping conversations open about online activities can help children feel comfortable sharing what they enjoy doing online, as well as any worries or questions they may have.
Clear and consistent boundaries around device use can help children understand expectations and feel secure. This might include agreeing when and where devices can be used, what apps or games are suitable and how long screen time should last.
Taking an interest in the games, apps and websites your child uses can also be helpful, as it allows you to better understand the online spaces they are accessing. Where appropriate, parental controls can be used to support safe online use, alongside regular discussions about staying safe and making good choices online.
It is important that children and young people know they can ask for help without fear of getting into trouble. If something online feels wrong, worrying or confusing, they should be encouraged to tell a trusted adult.
Safeguarding and reporting concerns
Online safety concerns are followed up in line with the school’s safeguarding procedures.
If a pupil shares a concern about something they have seen, shared or experienced online, staff will listen, reassure them and report the concern to the safeguarding team.
Parents and carers who have concerns about online safety should contact the school so that these can be addressed appropriately. The school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) has overall responsibility for safeguarding, including online safety, supported by trained staff.
Where needed, school may work with parents and carers, external agencies or safeguarding partners to help keep pupils safe.
Useful resources for parents and carers
The following websites provide clear and up-to-date guidance on online safety for families:
UK Safer Internet Centre
Advice for parents and carers on a wide range of online safety topics, including social media, gaming, parental controls, screen time, reporting concerns and current online risks.
NSPCC Online Safety
Guidance for families around keeping children safe online, talking about online safety and managing risks.
Childnet International
Online safety advice, activities and resources for children, young people, parents, carers and schools.
Internet Matters
Parent and carer guidance on online safety, parental controls, apps, games and age-specific advice.
Internet Matters – Online Safety
Tailored advice for parents, carers and young people with additional learning needs.
CEOP Safety Centre
A place to report concerns about online sexual abuse, grooming or the way someone has been communicating with a child online.
Childline Report Remove
Support for young people under 18 to report nude or sexual images or videos of themselves online and request removal.
These resources offer advice on a wide range of topics, including social media, gaming, parental controls, online bullying, misinformation, harmful content, image sharing, AI-generated images and talking to children about staying safe online.
This page should be read alongside the school’s wider safeguarding information and relevant policies, including:
- Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
- Behaviour Policy
- Anti-Bullying Policy
- Acceptable Use Policy
- Data Protection Policy
Review and monitoring
The school’s approach to online safety is reviewed regularly as part of our safeguarding arrangements to ensure it remains effective and appropriate for our pupils.
Filtering and monitoring arrangements are reviewed at least annually and considered in line with the needs of pupils, current safeguarding guidance and changes in technology.