At Parklands Primary we believe that Computing is central to all aspects of learning; for adults and children in both the school and the wider community. Provision should reflect the rapid developments in technology. At our school we aim to teach the children the importance of being safe online. Our children are taught about online safety through the National Project Evolve resource, which uses the UK Council for Internet Safety’s (UKCIS) framework.
The children are also taught about online safety through various PSHE units and half-termly assemblies. We annually celebrate Safer Internet Day with the rest of the country by taking part in focused activities and discussions.
Check out our Online Safety pages specific to Families and Children below:
Computing in the 21st Century is an essential resource to support learning and teaching, as well as playing an important role in the everyday lives of children, young people and adults. Consequently, we need to build in the use of these technologies in order to equip our young people with the skills to access lifelong learning and employment.
All children, whatever their needs, will have access to a range of up to date technologies in both the suite and classrooms. Computing is a life skill and should not be taught in isolation.
At Parklands Primary School, we understand the responsibility to educate our pupils on online safety issues; teaching them the appropriate behaviours and critical thinking skills to enable them to remain both safe and legal when using the internet and related technologies, in and beyond the context of the classroom.
Throughout school we aim to teach children:
- about the impact of cyber-bullying and what to do if they have been affected.
- to be vigilant when communicating online recognising that people may not always be who they say they are and to be sensible about what they share.
- to tell an adult they trust if something is upsetting them.
- to question the reliability of information given through a web-based source.
- to search responsibly for information while using internet browsers.
We use Project Evolve to cover areas of Online Safety through our PSHE and Computing Lessons. The areas covered in each year group are:
‘Schools are finding that a blocking and banning approach, which merely limits exposure to risk, may no longer be a sustainable approach… Schools need to focus on a model of empowerment; equipping children with the skills and knowledge they need to use technology safely and responsibly, and managing the risks’
(Becta Safeguarding Children Online Feb 2009)