It is always helpful for parents to understand what safeguarding systems we have in place to protect our pupils and, as well as an extensive range of policies, procedures and training for staff, every year the group has online safety lessons as part of the Computing Curriculum. In addition, we also have filtering and monitoring systems in place.

What is filtering and monitoring?

Filtering systems block access to harmful websites and content.

Monitoring systems:

• Identify when someone searches for or accesses certain types of harmful online content on school devices;
• Identify who is searching for or accessing the harmful content;
• Alert the school about it so we can intervene and respond. 

 Whilst no filtering and monitoring software is perfect, all of our staff are vigilant when pupils are online and ensure the appropriate use of the internet by:

• Monitoring what pupils are accessing on devices during school hours;

• Ensuring that children do not use devices unless in the presence of an adult;

• Ensuring that screens are visible at all times;

• Circulating around the classroom during computing lessons or when iPads are in use

 What systems do we use?

• Our internet provider is RM Education;

• We use RM SafetyNet software, which provides our firewall and our filtering and monitoring system;

• The software blocks certain websites or search terms and alerts the Designated Safeguarding Leads and the IT Technician.

Inappropriate content includes:

• Illegal content (e.g. child sexual abuse or AI CSAM);
• Discriminatory content (e.g. sexist, racist or homophobic content);
• Sites that promote drugs or substance abuse;
• Extremist content (e.g. the promotion of terrorism);
• Misinformation or disinformation sites (including fake news);
• Gambling sites;
• Malware and/pr hacking software;
• Pornography;
• Pirated material (copyright theft);
• Sites that promote self-harm, suicide and/or eating disorders;
• Violent material.

All staff have a safeguarding duty for filtering and monitoring. Online Safety features in our staff Safeguarding Updates and refresher training throughout the year.

eSafety newsletter

• Online Safety Newsletter for Parents

• Open discussions about digital lives.pdf