Online Safety at St Hilda’s
At St Hilda’s, we are committed to helping all our pupils stay safe, responsible and respectful when using technology and the internet. We recognise that the online world is an important part of children's lives and want to equip them with the knowledge and confidence to navigate it safely and make positive choices.
Online safety is taught throughout our curriculum and reinforced through assemblies, discussions and everyday teaching. Children learn about issues such as cyberbullying, privacy, digital footprints, online friendships, social media and the responsible use of technology.
We teach children about the Four Cs of Online Risk:
Content – Understanding the risks of seeing harmful, inappropriate or upsetting material online.
Contact – Knowing how to stay safe when communicating with others online, including people they may not know.
Conduct – Understanding the importance of respectful online behaviour and recognising cyberbullying and other harmful behaviour.
Commerce – Recognising online scams, misleading advertising, in-app purchases and the risks of sharing personal or financial information.
We encourage children to speak to a trusted adult if they see, hear or experience anything online that makes them feel worried, uncomfortable or unsafe.
Our staff, pupils, parents and governors all have an important role to play in creating a safe and supportive digital environment. We regularly review our approach to ensure it reflects current guidance and the changing online world.
Be WEB-SAFE is a whole-school strategy designed to improve online safety and digital wellbeing. It brings together pupils, staff, families and governors to develop a positive and proactive culture around technology, online behaviour and mental health.
The approach helps children understand how their brains and behaviour can be affected by the digital world, including the psychology behind how we behave online. It explores why people may act differently online than they would face to face, known as online disinhibition, and helps children recognise potential risks and make safer choices.
Our WEB-SAFE approach:
Helps children and adults recognise online behaviours, risks and how we respond to them.
Promotes positive online mental health and wellbeing for both children and staff.
Supports staff in maintaining high professional standards and appropriate conduct online.
Encourages kindness, respect and responsible behaviour both face to face and online.
Develops children's understanding of how to protect themselves and others in the digital world.
Together, we aim to equip our pupils with the skills they need to be SAFE online – Safe, Appropriate, Friendly and Educated.
Our Digital Leaders play an important role in promoting online safety across St Hilda’s. They meet regularly to develop their knowledge, share online safety messages and help raise awareness of how to use technology safely and responsibly. They help to ensure that online safety remains an important part of our school community and encourage children to make positive choices when using technology.
We recognise that keeping children safe online is a shared responsibility between home and school. We encourage parents and carers to talk openly with their children about their online experiences, take an interest in the apps, games and websites they use and help them develop healthy digital habits.
We also include a regular Online Safety section in our weekly school newsletter, sharing practical advice, helpful reminders and up-to-date information to support families in keeping their children safe online at home.
By working together, we can help children develop the knowledge, confidence and skills to make safe and responsible choices in an ever-changing digital world.
If you ever have concerns about your child's online activity or something they have experienced online, please speak to our Designated Safeguarding Leads Mrs H Clemmett (DSL) or Mrs G Price (Deputy DSL) We are always here to listen and help.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We also recognise the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in children's lives. We are committed to helping pupils develop an age-appropriate understanding of AI, including how it is used, the opportunities it offers and the potential risks. We encourage children to think critically about information and images they see online and to understand the importance of using technology safely, responsibly and honestly. Our approach is supported by our school AI Strategy and AI Policy, which set out how AI is used appropriately and responsibly within St Hilda’s.