Computing at St Michael’s aims to equip pupils with the skills and understanding of how to use technology safely and appropriately and in a way that will allow them to develop skills that they will be able to use after they leave us. We aim for pupils to have an understanding of the digital footprint that they leave and that they understand that they have a duty of care to both themselves and others when using technology.

E-Safety In School

As part of your child’s education we teach throughout their school life, how to stay safe online and when using technology. E-safety is taught through computing lessons and PSHE using age appropriate resources. As a school we also have an Internet Safety week focus every February and parents are invited into school to develop their knowledge about how to keep your child safe online.

Here is an outline of the key e-safety areas that are covered in our curriculum:

Reception focus on being polite and courteous and what information is safe to share online.

Key Stage 1 look at the SMART rules that are outlined below, what information is safe to share online, developing positive online behaviours and about the importance of sharing any concerns they may have when using online technology with a responsible adult.

Key Stage 2 develop their understanding of how to e-mail safely, how to use chat rooms and social networking sites safely as well as raising awareness of how to upload pictures/videos safely and responsibly.

As part of the continuing development and to enable us to teach the entire curriculum, as detailed in the Google Chrome Account letter sent out to parents, we will create an account for each child in school.  This will enable pupils to complete some elements of their schoolwork at home as they will be able to access their account at any time from any device.  The account will only be used for school work and there will be restrictions in place regarding who pupils can email, as well as their access to some websites when in school.

We are very aware that E-safety needs are constantly changing in the fast paced world of the internet and social media.

We try to keep parents as informed as possible and send home alerts as we are made aware of them.

As well as our ongoing e-safety curriculum we hold a very popular Internet Safety Day to help inform and advise parents in this matter.

If you require any further support or wish to discuss any safeguarding concerns  please contact one of our Designated Safeguarding Leaders (Mrs Berry and Mrs Westby).