Intent

At St. Augustine’s we recognise how the development and expansion of the use of ICT, and particularly of the Internet, has transformed school in recent years.  Children and young people need to develop high level ICT skills, not only to maximise their potential use as a learning tool, but also to prepare themselves as lifelong learners and for future employment.  The Internet and other digital technologies can promote creativity, stimulate awareness and enhance the education of pupils across the curriculum.  The value and importance of online learning was elevated during the national lockdowns, during which online learning became the main tool with which to educate and communicate with children.  Our pupils are growing up in a fast changing and increasingly complex world in which we are more dependent on the Internet to navigate life and interact with others.  However, the Internet presents potential dangers and we must ensure that our children are safe and are protected from potential harm, both within and outside school.  Children and young people need constant help and support to identify and avoid e-safety risks and build their resilience.  We recognise the challenges and risks this technology brings and aim to embed Internet safety throughout the school, providing all pupils with the knowledge skills and confidence to use the Internet in a safe and respectful manner.

Implementation

E-Safety education will be provided in the following ways:

• A planned e-safety programme is provided as part of Computing. This provides an effectively sequenced series of lessons, building on the children’s prior knowledge and delivers age appropriate activities and challenges.
• The Computing curriculum is complimented though our PSHE and RSE lessons, which ensure that children are able to evaluate what they see online, understand what acceptable and unacceptable online behaviour looks like, how to identify online risks and how and when they should seek support.
• Key e-safety messages will be reinforced through further input via assemblies and pastoral activities, as well as informal conversations when the opportunity arises.
• Pupils will be helped to understand the pupil Acceptable Use Agreement and encouraged to adopt safe and responsible use of ICT both within and outside school.
• Pupils will be made aware of what to do should they experience anything, while on the Internet, which makes them feel uncomfortable.

 Impact

Pupils at St. Augustine’s will be able to use technology:

• Safely
• Responsibly
• Respectfully
• Securely

They will be able to explain the importance of E-safety and articulate how their skills and knowledge have progressed.  They will feel safe to talk to adults about any issues or concerns that they have relating to E-safety.