Online safety is a key part of our safeguarding approach. We aim to ensure that pupils are able to use technology safely and responsibly, both in school and beyond.
Filtering and Monitoring
In March 2023 updates were made to the statutory guidance “Keeping Children Safe in Education.” The updates further strengthen existing standards in relation to online safety.
The standards stipulate, amongst other things, responsibilities for online safety in schools require a whole school commitment from Governing Bodies, Senior Leadership Teams, and Designated Safeguarding Leads. Both safeguarding and IT staff are now required to work closely together to use expertise and technology to improve safeguarding.
St John Rigby school is committed to safeguarding
its staff and pupils, and works in partnership with the OLICAT IT Services to implement robust filtering and monitoring systems.
We have appropriate filtering and monitoring systems in place across our school network to help prevent access to harmful or inappropriate content. These systems are regularly reviewed to ensure they are effective and up to date.
Online activity on school devices and networks is monitored in line with safeguarding guidance, and any concerns are flagged to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and relevant staff so that appropriate action can be taken.
Online Safety
Online safety is taught as part of our curriculum to help pupils understand how to use technology safely and responsibly. Children learn how to recognise online risks, make safe choices, and know what to do if something worries them.
Staff receive regular training to support them in promoting online safety and responding appropriately to concerns, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. This helps ensure a consistent approach across the school and supports the safe use of technology both in school and at home.
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) is part of the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA). Its role is to help protect children and young people from online sexual abuse and exploitation, including grooming.
In schools, the CEOP reporting button is often used on websites and platforms so that children, staff, or parents can directly report concerns about online abuse or suspicious contact. You can make a report directly to the CEOP Safety Centre by clicking on the button above. As well as making a report to the CEOP Safety Centre, the CEOP Education website has information and advice to help if something has happened to online.
Children are advised that if something has happened online which has made them feel unsafe, scared or worried, they should report it to a trusted adult.
Online Bullying/Cyberbullying is one specific online safety issue, where technology is used to deliberately upset, threaten, or harm someone, such as through messages, social media, gaming chats, or sharing harmful content.
Good online safety education helps prevent cyberbullying by teaching pupils:
- how to behave respectfully online
- how to recognise bullying behaviour
- how to block, report, and seek help if something happens
At St John Rigby, both online safety and cyberbullying are treated as safeguarding concerns. Any incidents are taken seriously and referred to the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL/DDSL), with support provided for all pupils involved.