At St Mary’s, we understand that our children’s safety is paramount both in the real world and in today’s forever-growing electronic world.
We realise that technology is a wonderful thing and getting better day-by-day. The use of technology has increased dramatically over the years and the world we live in today relies heavily upon it. For this reason it is crucial that the children in today’s society learn the skills needed in ICT. We promote this by incorporating the use of computers and other electronic devices in school, such as digital cameras, as well as creating as many cross-curricular links with ICT in as many of our lessons as possible.
We now send home at the beginning of the year an Acceptable Use Policy. This is a contract for parents and children to read together and sign that they agree to follow the school rules for using the internet.
As a school we follow the SMART approach to E Safety.
The Five SMART E-Safety Areas are as follows:
S – Safe
This gives the children an overview of how to keep safe on the internet, from what information to share online to who you are speaking to. As well as this the children are advised when and where to use personal devices, such as mobile phones and Ipods.
M – Meeting
This makes the children aware that meeting someone online is extremely dangerous and that it should not be done under any circumstances. ‘Online Friends Stay Online!’
A – Accepting
This focuses on potential problems that can arise from opening unknown files, emails, texts, etc.
R – Reliable
This shows the children how easy it is to be misled either on the internet or over the phone, via text. In addition, the children are made aware of the fact that not all the information they find and read online is always true.
T – Tell
This highlights the fact that it is vital to tell somebody, like a friend, Teacher, parent and now an E-Safety Ambassador if they have got any issues. We also cover Cyber-Bulling and its effects.
