Online safety guidance
We have always had a high level of filtering on our school network in order to keep everyone safe. There is now a higher expectation set out in Keeping Children Safe In Education 2023, published by the Government.
Our system at school that filters, monitors and alerts is called ‘Lightspeed’. All devices accessing the internet in school, ipads, Chromebooks, PC’s, phones are subject to the filtering and monitoring. If the system flags a safeguarding concern, an automatic email is sent to my school email address. If that email is not responded to, then Lightspeed will contact school by phone. Failing that, they will contact the police if the issue is deemed to be putting someone at risk.
In school the children use Google Classroom. This uses the Chrome Browser for accessing Google Classroom and its associated applications. For your peace of mind at home, if your child is logged into a Chrome Browser using their @sturtonschool.co.uk on any device (at home or anywhere else), they are automatically filtered and monitored using our system in school. The only way around that would be to open an ‘Incognito’ window, something that can be disabled using parental controls.
I felt this was important to inform you and helps make their use of the internet safer, therefore keeping everyone safe.
As always, we continue to work hard to keep all children safe. Thank you for your continued support in this.
Advice and information for parents including weblinks:
- https://www.kidscape.org.uk/
- https://www.internetmatters.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1vSZBhDuARIsAKZlijRukbhUtpkFS2LKN2vugE4xWnkfOzGV78UI3QvirzaV-eQISiYjksAaAkU6EALw_wcB
- https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-safety-online-a-practical-guide-for-parents-and-carers/child-safety-online-a-practical-guide-for-parents-and-carers-whose-children-are-using-social-media
Resources parents could highlight to their children including weblinks:
We are all spending much more time online at the moment and along with that may come increased risks. Please spend some time looking through the following information https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/home provided by the National Cyber Security Centre.
The Government has also issued this advice: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/digital-minister-urges-parents-to-follow-new-guidance-to-keep-children-safe-online-during-lockdown
There is also this advice from The Children’s Society: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/news-and-blogs/our-blog/invite-only-parties-and-staying-safe-online-during-covid-19-lockdown
The NSPCC information for parents is also still very current and useful to read: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
Click below to watch the CEOP 'Jigsaw' film
