Online Safety
At Blackfordby St Margaret’s CE Primary School, keeping children safe online is an essential part of our safeguarding responsibilities. Technology is an important part of everyday life and we work with pupils, staff and families to ensure everyone understands how to stay safe, make responsible choices and use the internet positively.
Online safety is taught throughout the curriculum and embedded into everyday practice across school. Our aim is to help children become confident, respectful and responsible digital citizens.
How We Teach Online Safety
Online safety is taught regularly through:
- Computing and PSHE lessons
- Assemblies and themed weeks
- Classroom discussions
- Digital citizenship resources
- Safer Internet Day
- Pupil workshops
Children learn about:
- How to stay safe online
- How to communicate respectfully
- What to do if something worries or upsets them
- How to protect personal information
- How to recognise unsafe or inappropriate behaviour
- How to use social media responsibly (where age-appropriate)
- How to evaluate online content and recognise misinformation
Our Responsibilities
We ensure:
- All staff receive annual online safety training
- Filters and monitoring systems are in place across all school devices
- Staff model safe and responsible behaviour online
- Pupils know how to report problems or concerns
- Online safety incidents are logged and responded to swiftly
- Parents receive guidance and updates
- RISE Multi Academy Trust safeguarding and online safety expectations are met
What Children Should Do If They Feel Unsafe Online
We teach children to:
- Stop – leave the device alone
- Block – if possible, block or leave the page
- Tell – speak to a trusted adult in school or at home
Children know they can speak to:
- Any teacher or support member of staff
- Our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Ms Alison Benson, Mr Ashley Izzard-Snape
- Our Deputy DSLs, Mrs Zoe Horne and Mrs Danielle Ridley
How We Support Parents
Technology changes rapidly and it can be difficult for parents to keep up. We regularly share online safety advice through newsletters, emails and workshops.
Below are helpful organisations offering guidance for families:
Useful Links for Parents
- NSPCC – Online Safety & Parent Guidance
- Childline – Support for children
- ThinkUKnow – Internet safety resources from CEOP
- BBC Own It – Wellbeing & online behaviour
- UK Safer Internet Centre – Parent guides
- Internet Matters – Device safety settings & advice
- Young Minds – Mental health support related to online use
Online Safety at Home
Parents can help keep children safe by:
- Talking regularly about online behaviour
- Setting clear expectations for device use
- Ensuring age-appropriate apps and games
- Using parental controls and filters
- Keeping devices in shared family spaces
- Encouraging children to report anything that worries them
We are always happy to support families with advice and practical help.
Reporting Concerns
If you have an online safety concern:
📞 Contact the school office: 01283 217702
📧 Email: office@blackfordby.risemat.co.uk
Out-of-hours safeguarding concerns:
📧 safeguarding@schools.risemat.co.uk
If a child is at immediate risk, call 999.