Safer Internet Day 2020
At St John Fisher we take internet safety extremely seriously. We make sure that we know the current risks and the potential risks lurking in the background and aim to share this information regularly so that our parents and carers are well informed. We hold workshops and share information via this newsletter and the website. It is our aim to keep internet safety at the forefront of our thinking, because whilst the online world has a hugely positive side when used responsibly; offering children access to a wealth of information and opportunities - it also opens the door, sadly, to a darker side where there are potential risks of cyber-bullying, ready access to inappropriate material, grooming and exploitation.
Predators do not discriminate. They will target anyone, including children from any background and family.
All children are potential targets, especially if they have unsupervised access to the internet via PCs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, gaming consuls, apps at home and whilst ‘roaming’ or even, via free Wi-Fi in shops as well as on buses, trams, trains, restaurants and even via a neighbour’s router not configured right.
Safeguarding At St John Fisher
At SJF, promoting the internet safety of all our children is a key segment of our wider safeguarding role. As Headteacher, I am the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in our school. I am supported in this role by my Safeguarding Team of Deputy DSLs: Mrs Barrett, Mrs Hadfield and Mrs Pickering. Day-to-day, the administration of the role is overseen by Mrs Hadfield who, as Lead for Inclusion & Diversity at SJF, is responsible for the care of all vulnerable children supported by Mrs Pickering, our Learning and Inclusion Mentor.
Obviously ‘Safeguarding’ generally, and internet safety specifically, are also key Governor responsibilities. Overall, responsibility rests with our Chair of Governors, Mrs Sarah Ludlam, supported by our Vice Chair of Governors, Mr Matt Watters. However, the day-to-day monitoring of school systems and actions is the responsibility of Mrs Clair Prestidge, who is our designated Link-Governor for Safeguarding. She reports directly to Mrs Ludlam and the full Governing Body. Mrs Prestidge, Mrs Hadfield and Mrs Pickering also work closely together to ensure processes are effective and all staff receive appropriate and regular training and updates.
Unsurprisingly Internet safety is also a key feature of our Computing curriculum, led and coordinated in our school by Mr Broadhead. He also works closely with the local authority to ensure that staff, Governors and parents/carers are kept up-to-date and that the curriculum remains current and relevant to our children given the ever-changing nature of the risks they face currently and will, sadly, face in the future. As well as the ongoing curriculum there are certain points of the year when there is an additional focus on being safe. ‘Be Safe – Be Happy Week’ is one and Internet Safety Day will be another.
A Message from the Safer Internet Day Team
Here is the website address: https://www.saferinternetday.org/ and hit the underlined quick-links below to access sections of the Safer Internet website (ctrl+ hover mouse cursor over the word and click).
We are busy preparing for the next campaign, and our website is being regularly updated.
You can already find some assets to use in your activities in the About section of this website, including the key messages for the campaign and a social media plan with example posts and visuals to help you countdown to the big day!
Also check out the country and supporter sections to find out what's happening near you or in your areas of interest - profiles are being updated daily, so please check back regularly for the latest news.
In the meantime, if you are curious as to what happened on SID 2019, check out the SID archive, and find other news from the day on this website, as well as the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) portal. Please also visit our Facebook and Twitter profiles to keep up to date on the latest campaign news and actions.
And don't forget to visit the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) portal regularly to keep up to date on online safety issues all year around, find awareness-raising resources in our resource galleries, and subscribe to the quarterly BIK bulletin for updates direct to your inbox.
