Online Safety At Gatehouse

As a result of the Covid 19 Lockdowns over the last 18 months, the increased use of online material and contact online we have reviewed and amended our ‘Online Safety Curriculum’.

We will continue to start every ‘Computing’ session with an ‘Online Safety’ objective, which is age appropriate based on responses from our children at Gatehouse through their yearly online safety questionnaires.

We will be focusing specifically on the eight different aspects of online education over our two year rolling programme.

1. Self-image and Identity
2. Online reputation
3. Online bullying
4. Managing online information
5. Health, wellbeing and lifestyle
6. Privacy and security
7. Copyright and ownership

      8. Online relationships

In response to our pupil surveys we have adapted our 2-year rolling programme to cover ‘Online Relationships’ each year, covering this in more depth. In addition to this we have linked our learning with our PSHE Curriculum and the years we are teaching ‘Online Bullying’ the following year in PSHE we will teach about ‘Bullying’. This interweaving approach can be seen throughout the online safety and PSHE curriculum. 

To support staff to remain current, we will be using content from ‘ProjectEVOLVE’

Below is an overview of each strand: 

Why ProjectEVOLVE?

‘ProjectEVOLVE’ ensures the online safety messages that our Gatehouse pupils are being taught are more appropriate; more meaningful; that encourage reflection; that generate positive outcomes. We didn’t want activities where our students were told what or what not to do. We wanted to provide the right opportunity for discussion; prompted by appropriate questions accompanied by honest and useful information to shape thinking and challenge misconceptions.

‘ProjectEVOLVE’ is based on UKCIS framework “Education for a Connected World” (EFACW) that covers knowledge, skills, behaviours and attitudes across eight strands of our online lives from early years right through to eighteen – we will be covering content up until 11.

These outcomes or competencies are mapped to age and are progressive. The statements guide educators as to the areas they should be discussing with children as they develop their use of online technology. Therefore, although the children at Gatehouse cover each strand three times whilst on their ‘Online Safety’ journey all sessions are progressive and build on prior learning and is relevant to them at that time.

Due to our yearly surveys, some content over time will change to ensure it is being taught in the correct year groups based on the technology and interactions are children have and to ensure our children get the knowledge BEFORE it’s too late.

The vibrant new content has been written by a team of experts at the UK Safer Internet Centre. It’s up to date; relevant and engaging and moves online life education into the third decade of the 21st century.

As part of our commitment to keep you updated on the latest E-safety news as well as to provide you with information on various aspects of social media use online, we wanted to alert you to the news story the BBC covered on Roblox: The children’s game with a sex problem https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-60314572

Please be vigilant when your child/ren are accessing gaming platforms and ensure you have spoken with them about being safe online.

Message to Year 6 families 

Dear Parents/Carers,

In Year 6, we have been made aware of a website called ‘Omegle’. This site allows users to speak in an online chatroom to strangers. It also has the capacity for pictures to be shared and for video chats to take place. It has come to our attention that some children in Year 6 have been using this website. We strongly advise you to read the attached information for parents regarding Omegle and to speak to your children about staying safe online. We will be having additional Online Safety discussions in school to address this. 

As always, the safety of your children is our priority.

Many thanks for your support. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Miss Emmerton & Miss Miller

This page has some important information about keeping yourselves and your children safe. There are links to websites and organisations that you may find useful.

If you would like help with understanding how to keep your children safe online and even help setting up security settings on your devices please ask the school office who will be able to arrange a meeting with staff who can support you with this.

Online and Internet safety is a high priority for all children.

The website https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ is an excellent one to share with your children.

The website https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/ offers advice for parents. 

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers

https://www.bbc.com/ownit

https://www.internetmatters.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIquP_v9ax4QIVFuR3Ch000QE8EAAYASAAEgK0MfD_BwE

It can be hard to know how to talk to your child about online safety. From setting up parental controls to advice on sexting, online games and video apps, the NSPCC can help you to understand the risks and keep your child safe.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

Below are some support guides to help you enable filters to make online a safer place.

Using Instagram is popular with some older pupils at school. Parents are reminded that the minimum age for Instagram users is 13, and are invited to read Instagram Tips for Parents via this link:

https://help.instagram.com/154475974694511

Online Safety Alert!

Dangerous website and app called ‘Monkey’, which allows users to have video calls with strangers. The platform markets itself as ‘an alternative to Omegle, with a TikTok vibe’. We have been advised via the police that this platform has been reviewed and it has been found to contain large amounts of inappropriate, disturbing, and harmful content transmitted via web cameras.