Intent

At Whitechapel Primary School, our intent is to create a safe and secure online environment for all pupils. We recognise the increasing role of technology in children’s lives and understand the importance of equipping our students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Our Online Safety programme aims to:

1. Empower Students: To provide pupils with the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to assess risks and make informed decisions regarding their online activities.
2. Promote Responsible Use: To foster a culture of respect and responsibility among students in their use of digital technology, ensuring they understand the impact of their online behaviour on themselves and others.
3. Engage Parents and Community: To involve parents and the broader community in our Online Safety initiatives, ensuring a collective approach to safeguarding children in the digital age.
4. Cultivate a Safe Environment: To maintain a secure online environment through robust policies and regular updates of our digital infrastructure to protect pupils from online threats.

Implementation

To fulfil our intent, we have established a comprehensive Online Safety programme that integrates seamlessly into the curriculum and school culture. Our implementation strategies include:

1. Curriculum Integration:
   • Online Safety lessons are taught across all year groups, tailored to each age group’s developmental stage and technological experience.
   • We utilise a range of resources, including age-appropriate materials from trusted organisations such as Project Evolve, Coram, Kidsafe, CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) and Childnet to deliver engaging and relevant content.
2. Practical Workshops and Activities:
   • We organise interactive workshops, guest speakers, and hands-on activities where students can experience real-world scenarios regarding online safety.
   • Regular lessons are incorporated into the school calendar, focusing on topics such as cyberbullying, privacy, and responsible use of social media.
3. Parental Engagement:
   • Parents are invited to attend sessions focused on Online Safety, helping them to support their children’s digital literacy at home.
   • We provide weekly updates on relevant Online Safety issues, tools, and resources available for families on Class Dojo.
4. Staff Training:
   • Ongoing professional development for staff ensures that all teachers are knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in Online Safety.
   • Staff are trained to identify and report online safety concerns and to foster conversations with pupils about their online experiences.
   • Our online safety lead attends Online Safety Live annually.
5. Policies and Procedures:
   • We have a clear Online Safety policy which is regularly reviewed and updated in line with national guidelines and best practices.
   • The school actively employs filtering and monitoring tools to safeguard pupils while using school technology, ensuring adherence to our Online Safety policies.
   • There are acceptable use policies in place.
   • We have a Use of AI policy in place.

Impact

As a result of our comprehensive Online Safety programme, we have observed the following significant positive outcomes in 2024-2025:

1. Pupil Awareness and Understanding:
   • Feedback from student surveys indicates a marked increase in pupils’ understanding of Online Safety concepts, with a high percentage able to articulate the importance of digital responsibility and online etiquette.
2. Reduction in Incidents:
   • We have seen a noticeable decline in incidents related to cyberbullying and inappropriate online behaviour within the school, demonstrating the effectiveness of our preventative measures.
3. Parental Involvement:
   • Increased parental attendance at workshops and information sessions has led to higher engagement levels, with parents reporting greater confidence in discussing Online Safety issues with their children.
4. Community Collaboration:
   • Partnerships with local organisations and authorities have strengthened our approach to Online Safety, providing pupils and families with access to additional resources and support systems.
5. Sustained Focus on Wellbeing:
   • Our commitment to Online Safety contributes to the overall wellbeing of our pupils, equipping them to become responsible digital citizens and prepared to face the challenges of an increasingly digital world.

Through our intent, implementation, and impact strategies, Whitechapel Primary School strives for excellence in safeguarding pupils in the digital realm, showcasing best practices.