Keeping Children Safe Online

At Bracken Hill School, we are committed to helping our pupils use technology safely, positively and responsibly. We recognise that being online is an important part of everyday life and learning, and we work to ensure that pupils are supported to understand both the opportunities and risks of the digital world.

Through our curriculum and wider safeguarding work, pupils are taught how to stay safe online, protect their personal information, behave respectfully towards others and seek help when something worries them.

We recognise that some pupils may require additional support to understand and manage online risks. Therefore, we work closely with families and external agencies to promote safe and positive use of technology both in school and at home.

 

How We Protect Children Online

At Bracken Hill School, all devices and internet access are protected by filtering and monitoring systems to help keep pupils safe online. Staff receive regular safeguarding training and supervise pupils' use of technology. Online safety is led by our Online Safety Lead and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Mrs Shelton, who oversees our online safety arrangements and responds to any concerns.

 

Staff Training

All staff, including teaching, site, support, office, wellbeing and midday supervisory staff, complete the following training annually.	Online Safety	Cybersecurity	Safeguarding and Child Protection
Date completed	March 2006	May 2026	September 2025
Staff are also required to sign the school's Acceptable Use Agreement annually, ensuring a consistent whole-school approach to online safety and safeguarding. Governors complete regular safeguarding and online safety training to enable them to fulfil their statutory responsibilities and provide effective strategic oversight and challenge.

 

Online Safety Resources for Parents and Carers

We recommend the following trusted websites for advice, guidance and support to help keep children safe online:

• CEOP Safety Centre – Online safety advice and reporting concerns about online abuse.
• NSPCC Net Aware – Reviews of apps, games and social media platforms used by young people.
• Get Safe Online – Information on cybersecurity, scams and staying safe online.
• Internet Matters – Practical advice, guides and parental controls.
• UK Safer Internet Centre – Resources, advice and reporting tools for online safety.
• Vodafone Digital Parenting – Support for parents navigating technology and digital life.
• UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) – Government guidance on keeping children safe online.
• Common Sense Media – Reviews and age guidance for apps, games and websites.

If you have any concerns about your child's online safety, please contact Mrs Shelton, the school's Designated Safeguarding and Online Safety Lead. We are here to help and support families in keeping children safe online.

 

Curriculum and Learning

At Bracken Hill School, online safety is taught through a personalised and developmentally appropriate curriculum that reflects the needs of our pupils. Learning is adapted to support different communication styles, abilities and levels of understanding, enabling pupils to develop the knowledge and skills needed to stay safe online.

Pupils are supported to understand:

• Content – recognising when something online makes them feel worried, confused or uncomfortable and knowing how to seek help from a trusted adult.
• Contact – understanding that not everyone online is who they say they are and learning how to respond safely to unwanted contact or messages.
• Conduct – developing positive online behaviours, including being kind and respectful to others, and recognising unkind or unsafe behaviour.
• Commerce – learning that some online games, apps and websites may encourage spending money or sharing information, and knowing when to ask an adult for help.