Safeguarding and e-Safety

As an Academy we take safeguarding our students very seriously. As well as rigorous systems for adults in our employment or as volunteers, it has long been necessary to give frequent consideration to issues of safe use of the internet for students.

ICT in the 21st Century is an essential resource to support learning and teaching, as well as playing an important role in the everyday lives of children, young people and adults. Consequently, schools need to build in the use of these technologies in order to arm our young people with the skills to access life-long learning and employment.

We regularly revisit the issue of safe personal behaviour online with all students aged 11-16. They receive information through assemblies, and be encouraged to discuss the issues with tutors and peers. Often young people know about what to do to keep themselves safe online; they just do not always believe the message or think the dangers relate to someone other than themselves. There are also legal considerations.

The central messages are:

• Be responsible yourself with your digital footprint

• What you put out there cannot be undone and can have long standing consequences

• Report to parents/us or CEOP if you find you are out of your depth

• Be aware that you must not break the law