e-safety
It can be very difficult as parents, educators and indeed young adults to know how to stay safe online in the modern digital world of apps, mobile devices, operating systems and social media. The college is committed to working with the local and wider community to ensure that all our students know how to stay safe as they develop their digital literacy, equipping them with skills that help them to utilise digital media as tools for improving their life outcomes, socialising with friends and learning about the world around them. It is therefore of crucial importance that parents, pupils, teachers, governors and other community members work in partnership on a continuing basis.
CEOP
If you have experienced online sexual abuse, or you’re worried this is happening to someone you know, you can report to CEOP Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm (UK time), excluding Bank Holidays.
To report online sexual abuse outside of these hours, please contact the police on 101 or online at www.police.uk
Links to eSafety organisations
Childnet International – Lots of information for young people on e-safety, including scenarious and games. It also provides free information leaflets for parents, a teacher area and factsheets.
Kidsmart – provides e-Safety information and guidance, whilst offering games and competitions for young people.
CEOP – The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre website helps you understand some of the new technologies that young people love to use. It updates you on potential risks children may come into contact with and empowers you to get involved in helping them be safer in their online experience.
Internet Watch Foundation – the UK hotline for reporting illegal content. Information includes protecting yourself and your kids online, filtering options, website ratings, success stories from the IWF, the police and sister organisations, public campaigns.
Digizen.org – Digital citizenship is about building safe spaces and communities, understanding how to manage personal information, and about being internet savvy – this website teaches you how.
Safer Internet – This is a multinational site but has a UK section. Has a reporting facility and information on: Blogging, chat, cyberbullying, hate speech/racism, instant messaging, online gaming, mobiles, shopping, phishing, spam, virus and spyware.
Downloadable files & resources
OFCOM Social Networking Report – Some really useful reading on how social networks have developed and also how users engage and behave on social networking sites.
Supporting young people online – A simple and easy to access Childnet leaflet for parents on how to manage discussions with young adults on their online life.
Parent’s guide to technology – Ever wondered what a PSP is? How is an apple different to a blackberry? Learn all about mobile devices here.
Parents guide to Music, Film, TV & the Internet – From Childnet International, a really informative leaflet on how young adults can stay on the right side of the law when downloading content online; covers topics such as file sharing, copyright and what the penalties are for breaking the law in this respect.
Parent’s guide to online gaming – Another Childnet file which deals with what online gaming is, what to beware of when online gaming and some top tips to stay safe.
Get Support From Childline
You can contact Childline about anything. Whatever your worry, it's better out than in. We're here to support you.
There are lots of different ways to speak to a Childline counsellor or get support from other young people.
Please feel free to contact the school’s e-safety officer (Strategic Director of Resource and Compliance, Peter Almgill) via our contact page if you have any questions or concerns, you can also browse the eSafety resources above.