Online Safety at Archbishop Sentamu Academy.
Online safety is embedded into the curriculum at our academy. Students are first introduced to this in Year 7 in their ICT lessons, but this is also addressed in PSCHE lessons, and during tutor sessions each term. In addition, we also hold assemblies dedicated to this issue.
Online safety is an important part of life at the academy, and any online safety issues are regularly monitored and addressed. We do this through the monitoring of the school network, as well as through student survey feedback and through the monitoring of incident logs.
A link to our Online Safety policy can be found here. In addition all students are required to sign our Acceptable Use Policy each year.
If you are concerned about any aspects of online safety, please contact the school directly for more information/advice on onlinesafety@sentamuacademy.org .
What can I do to keep my child safe online?
The student section of the school website provides some practical advice for young people about how they can be safe online (http://www.sentamu.com/esafety/) .
As parents and carers it is important to recognise that the internet is a valuable resource with many advantages to young people; its safe and positive use is actively encouraged by the academy. However, the internet is always changing, and young people sometimes need support and advice with aspects of how best to stay safe online.
This video produced by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) provides useful information.
Be involved
It is essential to be involved in your child’s online life, and asking questions about what your child is using the internet for, and how they are using it can be a good starting point. Just like in the ‘real world’ boundaries need to be set online. To help you with this, appropriate parental controls can be set on devices which link to the internet, such as the TV, PCs, games consoles, laptops, tablets and mobile phones. In addition, you can set parental controls via service provider. Information for how to set network parental controls if KC is your broadband provider can be found here: https://www.kcomhome.com/products/broadband/parental-controls/
Model good behaviour
You should encourage your child to ‘think before they post’, and help them to understand that some online behaviour may be illegal (such as downloading or sharing inappropriate content with others). Encourage your child to protect their personal information, and use strong passwords for their accounts.
Useful links
http://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/files/Parents%20Pack_Whats%20the%20problem_11Mar2015.pdf – practical advice on what to do if your child has got into trouble online
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/ – Useful for finding out more about keeping your child safe online.
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers – Advice for parents and carers
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/parental-controls/ – Advice on parental controls
http://www.antibullying.net/cyberbullying1.htm – How to deal with online bullying
http://www.childnet.com/sorted/ – Tips for how to keep your information safe online.
Reporting concerns
In the academy incidents, should first be reported to the Head of House. Issues can also be reported via the online safety email onlinesafety@sentamuacademy.org.
It is also possible for students to report issues regarding online sexual exploitation or abuse themselves via the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre by clicking on the CEOP button.
They can also call Childline about any online safety issues on 0800 1111.