Online Safety

Online Safety: Help your child to stay safe online

CEOP is here to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online. You can make a report directly to the CEOP Safety Centre by clicking on the Click CEOP button if something has happened online which has made you feel unsafe, scared or worried. This might be from someone you know in real life, or someone you have only ever met online. CEOP take all reports seriously and they will do everything they can to keep you safe. As well as making a report to the CEOP Safety Centre, the CEOP Education website has information and advice to help you if something has happened to you online.

At Aston Fields Middle School, we recognise the increasing use of technology and the internet in the lives of our children. New technologies are developing all the time and we are dedicated to equipping all pupils with an understanding of the importance of Online Safety and how they can learn to use the Internet and digital resources safely and securely. All pupils are taught Online Safety as part of our Computing and PSHCE curriculum throughout each Key Stage.

Filtering and Monitoring

We ensure that filters are in place to prevent anyone in school having access to unsuitable sites and we monitor the use of the school network and internet to ensure that any pupil attempting to access inappropriate, abusive or harmful material is appropriately advised and/or supported.

The member of staff responsible for Online Safety is Mrs H Mynott. If a parent/carer has any concerns regarding online safety they should contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mrs H Mynott by emailing office@astonfields.worcs.sch.uk.

Useful Online Safety Websites

The websites below provide resources and guides to help with keeping your child safe online, device and social media security settings, and how to discuss matters with your child.

Safer Internet Day

Every year, in February Safer Internet Day is recognised within school. 2023's theme was 'Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online' and 2024's theme was 'Inspiring Change? Making a difference, managing influence and navigating change online'.

The day is nationally coordinated annually by the UK Safer Internet Centre to promote safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. They are encouraging parents, carers, teachers, government, policy makers and the wider online safety industry to take time to listen to children and young people and make positive changes together. They want to discover what issues matter to our young people, what changes they want to see and how we can work together to move forward to make the internet a positive and safe place to interact and learn.

In school, we introduce them to all our pupils through lessons and assemblies, giving them the opportunity to share in this event and explore what they want the internet to be like and how to ensure they keep themselves and others safe online.

Online Safety is taught throughout our Computing and PSHCE curriculum, throughout the time the pupils are with us. We all know how important the internet is to children to learn, play, explore, socialise and express themselves. However, with technology developing so fast it can be a bit daunting and we can worry about the risks children can face online. Keeping up-to-date with the range of apps and social media platforms and how to support young people is a constant challenge. With this in mind, we would like to share some of the resources and advice that is available for you to access and support in your conversations at home.

The UK Safer Internet Centre has produced specific information, advice and support for parents and carers and for young people about keeping safe online and we would encourage you to take some time to look at this through the links provided, as you continue to talk to and support your child about Online Safety.